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Este impresionante artista nació en la prefectura japonesa de Chiba, en 1972. Chiba es la sexta provincia más grande de Japón, y se encuentra junto a Tokio. Se graduó en escultura por la Universidad de arte de Tama, en Tokio en 1999. Ha expuesto en solitario, como es el caso de ‘The Time Continued Persona’, en FUMA Contemporary Tokio, en Tokio en 2010, o ‘Ambivalence’, en Elsa Art Gallery en Taipei. Además, ha participado en múltiples exhibiciones conjuntas tanto en Japón como a nivel internacional.

Centrando su trabajo en el modelado de madera tradicional japonés, la base de su técnica se denomina zukuri de Ichiboku y consiste en tallar una figura de madera sobre el tronco de un árbol, cuyo origen se encuentra en la escultura budista. Pero lo que distingue su obra de otras es el coloreado y su estilo, como él mismo dice.

En cuanto a sus proyectos, nos explica que está preparando exposiciones en solitario en Tokio y Tapei, al tiempo que sigue dándole vueltas a ‘Ambivalence’, “enfocado a las incertidumbres de los seres humanos y la distorsión del tiempo y el espacio”, nos explica.

También se está planteando utilizar otro tipo de material además de la madera para sus trabajos, ya que ésta se deteriora y se agrieta con el tiempo. Por eso, dice que intenta repararlos, pero “es un trabajo muy duro”.

Lo que le inspira a crear sus originales esculturas es la vida misma como ser humano: “durante mi infancia tuve mucho contacto con los origamis de papel, los modelos de GUNDAN me inspiraban para crear mis ideas, lo que me gusta de ello es la flexibilidad”.

Su personaje histórico preferido es Miguel Ángel Buonarroti: “Admiro mucho su trabajo, la creación de la Capilla Sixtina es una de las grandes obras que siempre influenciarán a las futuras generaciones”.

Sobre su comida oreferida, dice que es el ‘mochi’, un pastel japonés de arroz hecha de ‘mochigome’.

Y su talento, es evidente: es bueno en transmitir las cosas, incluso las más triviales, cambiarlas y llevarlas a su trabajo.

Finalmente, su mejor manera de relajarse después de un día duro de trabajo es cuando está con su hijo, como él explica: “me ayuda mucho, me sirve para crear nuevas imágenes y ser más productivo”.

English:

THE ORIGINAL YOSHITOSHI KANEMAKI’S SCULPTURES

This awesome artist was born in Chiba Prefecture in Japan in 1972, and grew up there and living there now. Chiba is the 6th largest province in population in Japan, and is adjacent to Tokyo. He graduated from the Department of Sculpture, Tama Art University in Tokyo in 1999. He has had solo exhibitions such as ‘The Time Continued Persona’ at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo in Tokyo in 2010 and ‘Ambivalence’ at Elsa Art　Gallery in Taipei. He has also participated in many other domestic and　international exhibitions up to now as an exhibiting wooden sculptor.

Having created the work in the Japanese traditional way, using the woodcarving, the basis of his woodcarving techniques is Ichiboku zukuri, a wooden figure carved from one tree/block of wood and is rooted in Buddhist sculpture. He adds to the wood his own process of carving and/or coloring, which is the element of devotion in his work, as he says.

“I have planned solo exhibitions both in Tokyo and Taipei. While having considered the production concept, ‘Ambivalence,’ I will be trying to represent my work to see humans’ wavering feelings and　distortion in time and space”, explains to us.

Also he express that “I am thoughtful about the dampness and dryness of wood for the material of my work featuring the human body. I feel pity when I hear about my finished work damaged and cracked. I usually try to repair the damaged works in order for them to endure as long as possible. I have realized that it is very hard work”.

To live as a human being in our society inspires him, because he can see in it no lack of hints to create the ideas of his work by all means. “During my childhood, origami/paper folding, constellations and GUNDAM plastic models inspired me that might make the basis of my ideas. Origami papers are transformable and flexible to make paper models whatever I like”, says.

His favorite historical figure is Buonarroti Michelangelo: “I admire the finger of his work, ‘Sistine Chapel Ceiling Creation of Adam,’ in which I imagine the harboring life. I am sure that Michelangelo left us the great works which will ever influence us and future generations”.

About his favorite food, it is ‘mochi’, Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain japonica glutinous rice.

And his talent is as a wooden sculptor for sure, and also: “I am good at feeling in even trivial things, and responding by filtering them through myself and changing them to the images of my work”.

Finally, his best way to relax after a busy day is when he is with his son, as he explains, “I am much released. I am setting up antenna for making the images of my new work. My daily life just leads and equals to the production of my work”.

www.bunkyo-art.co.jp