Yoshimasa Tsuchiya
Yoshimasa Tsuchiya, known for his symbolic animal sculptures, presents a new series of wood carvings with a more social feel, including human figures. At a time when our connections with others are becoming increasingly tenuous, Tsuchiya’s work allows us to once again confront the universal question: What is a human being?
MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY is pleased to present Yoshimasa Tsuchiya’s solo exhibition “Animals and Humans”. Tsuchiya was born in 1977 and specialised in sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts, and completed PhD, Sculpture Conservation at the postgraduate course in 2007. During his studies, Tsuchiya came into contact with a large number of old sculptures and learnt that they had been produced in extremely bold ways in different periods. Based on this experience, Tsuchiya has continued to challenge himself with traditional techniques and innovative expressions. His work is popular and appreciated both in Japan and abroad, with his solo exhibition at Kumanokodo Nakahechi Museum of Art (Wakayama, Japan) in 2021.
Tsuchiya has established a unique painting method in which the inner colours faintly emerge from the white surface. He also uses techniques similar to that used for Buddhist statues, whereby the head is split open and eyes such as crystal or glass are inserted, to create works with a mysterious look. The glass eyes have been created by artist Fukuo Tanaka, and the glass parts other than the eyes are also produced for the first time in this exhibition.
Dates
May 17-June 8, 2024
Noon-6pm
Closed on Sunday and Monday
Opening Reception
May 17, 6-8pm
*Artist to be present
Contact
MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY
2-16-12 B1 Ginza Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061 Japan
Animals and Humans
The works are recognisable as Tsuchiya’s at first glance, and can be described as “modern classics” with a timeless uniqueness and the power to appeal to both now and the future. Tsuchiya’s motifs are symbolic animal figures that embody intangible ideas in the shape of living things. The images of animals that appear in myths and tales are the origins of his ideas, and the creatures born from them have repeatedly mutated and cross-bred, taking the inspiration from improved garden plants and ornamental fish, and developed into a variety of forms.
In this exhibition, Tsuchiya will present a new series of wood sculptures with a more social feel, including human figures. Through Tsuchiya’s work, we are once again confronted with the universal question: What is a human being? As connections with others, which are essential for self-knowledge, become tenuous, people have come to feel lonely. One solution to this is interacting with animals to satisfy our emotional needs, which is increasingly popular today. Tsuchiya says of the animal and human figures, which have been shaped and inherited since ancient times “The human part seems to symbolise the ego and reason, and the animal part symbolises what is beyond human knowledge, and they represent those relationships. More to the point, they could represent the harmony between the nature and civilised society.” We hope you look forward to Tsuchiya’s wider expression.
Fukuo Tanaka’s solo exhibition “As a Species” will also be held here at the same time.
Pangolin
2024
32.5 x 57 x 14 cm
Painted camphor wood, labradorite (Pangolin eyes), crystal (Human eyes)
Walker
2024
53.5 x 14 x 13 cm
Painted camphor wood, crystal
