"Japan is an island nation rich in timber, from cypress (Hinoki) to cedar (Sugi) to larch (Karamatsu). Its renowned woodworking heritage dates back centuries, taking the form of immaculately carved wooden beams in houses, ornate storage boxes, and revered religious statuary. For some artists working today, this timeless tradition translates perfectly into contemporary expressions. Hand-hewn from timber, expressive faces and dynamic motifs emerge in the sculptures of Kigaku - Re(a)lize - at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo."
"Inada's recognizable figurative sculptures, for example, feature sleepy people, their faces often obscured by sweatshirts or blankets, as if they are wandering back to bed after a midnight snack. Kanemaki's characteristically glitchy portraits reveal numerous faces belonging to one personality, and Kita's bold pieces combine carved wood with clear resin, creating an optical element with dresses one can see right through."
Japan is an island nation rich in timber, including cypress (Hinoki), cedar (Sugi), and larch (Karamatsu). Woodworking heritage dates back centuries and appears in carved beams, ornate storage boxes, and religious statuary. Contemporary Japanese artists translate traditional carving techniques into modern expressions. Kigaku - Re(a)lize - at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo features hand-hewn sculptures with expressive faces and dynamic motifs by Ikuo Inada, Yoshitoshi Kanemaki, Kosuke Ikeshima, Ayako Kita, Yuta Nakazato, and Ryo Matsumoto. Inada’s figures often show sleepy people partially obscured by clothing; Kanemaki’s portraits contain layered faces; Kita combines carved wood with clear resin. The exhibition includes Early Edo and Heian period sacred sculptures and runs through November 1.
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