Internationally known among commercial-art enthusiasts for his pop-inspired faunal and floral imagery,Yamagatais best known in theU.S.as the poster designer for the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Committees.  He's also designed commemorative works for the Air and Space Bicentennial, the U.S. Constitution's Bicentennial, the Centennial Celebration of theEiffelTower, the Bicentennial of the French Revolution - and painted Ronald Reagan's presidential portrait. I n 1988, Hiro was commissioned by President Ronald Reagan to do a painting as part of the one hundred year anniversary celebration of the Statue of Liberty.

Hiro Yamagata was born inShiga,Japanon June 30, 1948.  He was first interested in painting in elementary school and took a special art class every day after school and through high school with his art teacher, a Japanese-style painter.  After his graduation, he went toTokyoand had part-time jobs in the advertisement field, where his talent was recognized.  In 1972, Hiro began attending L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts inParisand began to live his life through painting.