Hiro Takeshita wields an exacto knife with more finesse than many painters with brushes and oils. He creates dazzling works of art with layers of precisely cut paper in saturated hues. The resulting works of art appear to be painted, but they’re all executed in kiri-e or kirigami, or the traditional Japanese art of cut paper. 

Hiro was born in Nagasaki, Japan. After studying art and print-making in Tokyo, he moved to the U.S. in 1977 to further his studies, inspired by artists of the post-Impressionist period, particularly Henri Matisse, Abstract Expressionists like Richard Diebenkorn and Pop Artists, especially Andy Warhol. He moved to Hoboken in 1985.  

His latest works express his appreciation for bright colors and natural shapes. His third exhibition at the Hoboken Museum, “Under the Stars,” opens Sunday, June 16. Meet the artist at a free opening reception from 2 – 5 pm. The exhibit will remain on view through July 28. Find more of his works at www.hirotakeshita.com.

The exhibit is supported by a block grant from the State/County Partnership program for the Arts, administered by the Hudson County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.