Between 3 and 6 years ago (summer of 96 - summer of 99), I went with a
friend to the Forbes Building in New York City. At the time, they had
a collection of paintings on display in or near the lobby that I liked
very much, but I cannot recall the artist or any titles. I would like
to find out the artist's name so I can look for reproductions.

They were abstract and very colorful, and quite large - probably at
least six feet tall, maybe four feet wide. I  think several were crowd
scenes. The artist's name was Japanese, or at least very similar to
Japanese.

I also remember that at the time I was there, most of the Faberge eggs
were not, they had been loaned out (may help narrow down the time
period).

Hi, timepiece 
 
Sadaya Ishigaki, a Japanese painter, has had two exhibitions at the
Forbes Magazine Galleries in New York.  The first was in 1997 and the
second was in 1998.  I have not been able to find the exact dates. 
The following link has an example of the artist's work, along with
links to other examples.  It also links to the artist's curriculum
vitae, which notes the Forbes exhibitions:
http://www.artist-info.com/artist/Sadaya-Ishigaki 
 
The CV is in German, but a rough translation can be obtained by
copying the link, returning to Google's home page, clicking on
"language tools," pasting the link into the box and choosing "German
to English."
 
Another example of the painter's work can be found at the following
link:
http://www.nicaf.com/2001/galleries/26.html 
 
Some of the above examples are large scale works like the ones you
described in your question, and all are abstract and colorful.

Finally, the Forbes collection Faberge eggs were on loan to the
Cleveland Museum of Art from March 9-May 11, 1997.  Here's the link to
the relevant page on the museum's website:
http://www.clemusart.com/exhibit/faberge/ 
Although there may have been other occasions when Faberge eggs were on
loan
during the period in question, this may help in your further research.

 
Search terms used: 

"Forbes Magazine Gallery OR Galleries" 1996 OR 1997 OR 1998 OR 1999 
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Forbes+Magazine+Gallery+OR+Galleries%22+1996+OR+1997+OR+1998+OR+1998+OR+1999

"Sadaya Ishigaki" 
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22Sadaya+Ishigaki%22&btnG=Google+Search

Forbes Faberge eggs 1997 OR 1998
://www.google.com/search?q=Forbes+Faberge+eggs+1997+OR+1998&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=20&sa=N
 
Please ask for any clarifications that you might need.
 
markj-ga

Hi, timepiece

I believe that I have the answer to your question.  I am posting this
as a "comment" because I can't be absolutely certain that this is the
artist you are seeking.  If it is, please confirm by posting a comment
to that effect, and I will repost this comment as an answer.

Sadaya Ishigaki, a Japanese painter, has had two exhibitions at the
Forbes Magazine Galleries in New York.  The first was in 1997 and the
second was in 1998.  I have not been able to find the exact dates. 
The following link has an example of the artist's work, along with
links to other examples.  It also links to the artist's curriculum
vitae, which notes the Forbes exhibitions:
http://www.artist-info.com/artist/Sadaya-Ishigaki

The CV is in German, but a rough translation can be obtained by
copying the link, returning to Google's home page, clicking on
"language tools," pasting the link into the box and choosing "German
to English."

Another example of the painter's work can be found at the following
link:
http://www.nicaf.com/2001/galleries/26.html

Some of the above examples are large scale works like the ones you
described in your question, and all are abstract and colorful.

Search terms used:
"Forbes Magazine Gallery OR Galleries" 1996 OR 1997 OR 1998 OR 1999
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Forbes+Magazine+Gallery+OR+Galleries%22+1996+OR+1997+OR+1998+OR+1998+OR+1999

"Sadaya Ishigaki"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22Sadaya+Ishigaki%22&btnG=Google+Search

I hope this is what you were looking for.  Please ask for any
clarifications that you might need.

markj-ga

Yes, that is probably the right person. None of the links showed the
actual paintings I saw, but the style certainly seems consistent with
what I remember. And the name sounds familiar.

Thanks for the feedback.  I will post my earlier comment as an answer.
 I have also supplemented my answer to note that the Forbes collection
Faberge eggs were on loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from March
9-May 11, 1997.  Here's the link to the relevant page on the museum's
website:
http://www.clemusart.com/exhibit/faberge/
Although there may have been other occasions when eggs were on loan
during the period in question, this may help in your further research.

markj-ga