Japanese sculptor Shigeo Toya died of pneumonia in Tokyo on April 15, 2026, at age 78. Known for his conceptual approach, Toya spent five decades redefining sculpture beyond Western frameworks, creating works such as *Bamboo Grove II* (1975), the *Woods* series (shown at the 1988 Venice Biennale), and the *Minimal Baroque* series. He was a professor emeritus at Musashino Art University and received Japan's Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun.
Toya's death marks the loss of a major figure who challenged Western-centric notions of sculpture by centering the act of looking—what he called the "body of the gaze." His work, which blended archaeological excavation with natural forms, influenced generations of artists and expanded the possibilities of sculptural practice. His final exhibition, "Body of the Gaze: Semi-Sculpture," was held at ShugoArts in late 2025, underscoring his enduring relevance.