[ART] Itami Jun (1937-2011) Internationally renowned Korean-Japanese architect. Itami, whose Korean name is Yoo Dong-ryul, was born in Tokyo in 1937 during the Japanese colonial era (1910-45). He studied architecture at Musashi Universityís engineering school and led an active career for over 40 years. In 2003, the architectís oeuvre was highlighted in a solo exhibition, ìItami Jun, Japanís Korean Architect,î at the Musee Guimet in Paris, Franceís national museum dedicated to Asian art. The exhibition introduced him as ìan architect that straddles contemporary art and architecture, transcends national borders and possesses a truly international architectural vision.î In 2005 he was awarded the Chevalier de líOrdre des Arts et des Lettres, a top cultural honor bestowed by the French government. The following year he won various cultural and environmental awards in Asia. He was known for incorporating Korean traditional aesthetics into modern designs that harmonized with the natural surroundings, and built recognizable buildings in Korea and Japan. In 2009 Itami was named master architect of the government-sponsored Jeju Gobal Education City project on the tropical island off the southern coast of the country. The Duson Museum and Three Art Museums on the island won Itami the 2006 Kim Swoo-kuen Culture Award and Japanís 2010 Murano Togo Award. Last year he was featured among 200 world-famous architects and designers in the New York Guggenheim Museumís 50th anniversary exhibition ìContemplating the Void: Interventions in the Guggenheim Museum.î Offered here is a signed original ink drawing, portrait of Henri Corbiere, inscribed to Corbiere, dated 1973, approx. 9-1/4 x 12-3/4". Photo of Jun is not included - only the drawing.

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