Transforming traditions: a new exhibition in London showcases the mind-blowing skill of four Japanese artists
Self-taught sculptor Masaya Hashimoto lives and works in a Buddhist temple, where he makes delicate plant sculptures out of deer bones and antlers. These ethereal, all-white works capture the paper thin leaves of life-size stems gently swaying in the breeze while single blooms are frozen in time just as their petals are beginning to unfold.
From 25 September, Hashimoto's astonishingly-detailed sculptures will be on show alongside the works of a host of other contemporary Japanese artists as part of a show called Surface Tension at London's White Rainbow Gallery in Fitzrovia.
Focusing on the work of four contemporary artists who use traditional techniques such as ink painting, woodcuts and carving, the show explores the marriage of traditional art forms with contemporary themes.
Hidenori Yamaguchi, who studied rinsho (the art of creating free-hand copies of established masterpieces) in China, will be showcasing a selection of his meticulous ink wash paintings. Painted using a very fine brush on silk and paper, the paintings are so detailed that at first glance they look like photographs.
Meanwhile, Kumi Machida draws upon her classical training in traditional Japanese Nihonga to create depictions of biomorphic humans awakening from surreal dream-like states and Sachiko Kazama uses the traditional art of woodblock printing to create art works that satirise contemporary society.
INFORMATION
Surface Tension is on show at White Rainbow Gallery from 25 September - 7 November, 2015
ADDRESS
White Rainbow Gallery
47 Mortimer Street
London W1W 8HJ
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly design
Boise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Tour the Morgan Motor Company’s Worcestershire factory
The Morgan Motor Company might seem timeless – or even dated – but underneath the handcrafted aluminium bodywork is a manufacturer with great skills and grand plans: we take a factory tour
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Newly-opened Audo in Tokyo brings Copenhagen aesthetic to Japan
Denmark meets Japan: Audo Tokyo opens with a serene series of scenescapes that offers a sensory immersion in the brand's aesthetics
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
In the aftermath of Japan’s Noto earthquake, what’s next for Ishikawa crafts?
Craftspeople from the Ishikawa craft district tell Wallpaper* how the 2024 Noto earthquake affected their community, and what lies ahead
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Best Body Slammers: Japanese female wrestling meets design
The Sukeban female wrestling league made its Miami debut in December, with a championship belt by Marc Newson, hats by Stephen Jones, creative direction by Olympia Le Tan – and a win in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024
By Maria Sobrino Last updated
-
Shiro Kuramata’s multilayered cosmos on view in Tokyo
‘The Work of Shiro Kuramata: A Microcosmos of Memory’ is on view at Setagaya Art Museum until 28 January 2024
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Japanese craft meets technology at Miyota Design Weekend
The inaugural Miyota Design Weekend took place in the small community around Mt. Asama in Nagano, showcasing established and emerging creatives from Japan
By Jens H Jensen Published
-
Ingenious Japanese home appliances to enhance domestic life
From cooking to cleaning, Japanese brand +-0 has you covered with a range of cleverly designed home appliances
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
The Conran Shop opens new ‘locally edited’ Tokyo concept store
New Conran Shop Tokyo concept store opens in Daikanyama as the retailer's first ‘locally edited’ store, sourcing and curating a unique range of design objects crafted across Asia
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Noma Kyoto pops up with a design inspired by Japanese culture
The Noma Kyoto pop-up is open until 20 May 2023, hosted in the spaces of Kengo Kuma's Ace Hotel, and with interiors designed by Copenhagen's OEO Studio
By Danielle Demetriou Published