Japanese exhibition places contemporary wood sculpture in art historical continuum — Colossal
Japan is an island nation rich in wood, from cypress (Hinoki) to cedar (Sugi) to larch (Karamatsu). Its renowned woodworking heritage dates back centuries and includes the houses’ perfectly carved wooden beams, ornate storage chests and revered religious statues. For some of today’s artists, this timeless tradition translates perfectly into contemporary expression.
the sculptures are hand-hewn from wood and feature expressive faces and dynamic patterns Kigaku – re(a)lize – FUMA Contemporary Tokyo. While readers may be familiar with the work of Ikuo Inada and Yoshitoshi Kanemaki, the exhibition also includes recent works by Kosuke Ikeshima, Ayako Kita, Yuta Nakazato, and Ryo Matsumoto.
For example, Inada’s widely known figurative sculptures depict sleepy people, their faces often obscured by sweatshirts or blankets, as if they were strolling back to bed after a late-night snack. Kanemaki’s characteristic glitchy portraits reveal numerous faces belonging to a single personality, while Kita’s bold works combine wood sculptures with transparent resin to create an optical element of a dress that can be seen through.
The exhibition furthers a project launched in 2018 Qile – XYLOLOGYhighlights wood carving techniques and aims to illuminate the way contemporary artists use this medium. Kigaku – re(a)lize – is a continuation of this mission, showcasing work created today by six Japanese artists.
In addition to the works produced in the past few years, Kigaku – re(a)lize – Includes examples of carved sacred sculptures from the early Edo period (1603-1690) and the Heian period (794-1185). The exhibition will last until November 1st. Please visit the gallery website for more information.
