Hajime Sorayama

(Japanese, born 1947)

Hajime Sorayama was born in 1947 in Imabari, Japan, and is best known for his futuristic and hyper-realistic works that blend traditional Japanese art with Western aesthetic. He started his career as an illustrator and gained worldwide recognition for his surrealistic, Playboy-inspired female robot art pieces.

Sorayama graduated with a degree in illustration from the Chubi Central Art School, Tokyo, in 1969, after which he became a freelance illustrator working primarily on commercial projects, including advertising campaigns, album covers and book covers. His artistic journey began in the 1970s when he started creating photorealistic pin-up paintings with airbrush techniques.

Sorayama's iconic artwork Sexy Robot, Life-Size Seating Model B (fiberglass, iron, silver and gold plating, airbrush paint and LED neon light) fetched $737,804 at auction. The sculpture perfectly captures his signature style, which blends sensuality, fantasy and technology into a captivating and hyper-realistic art piece.

Sorayama's work is featured in galleries and museums worldwide and he has released several books, including Sorayama: Complete Works and Sexy Robot. He has also collaborated with brands such as Sony, Rolling Stone and Levi's.