Japanese artist Tomohiro Inaba is known for his dynamic sculptures that tell a different story depending on the viewpoint. From one angle, his carefully crafted animals and human figures appear whole, from another they seem to vanish into thin air. Presented in a new solo exhibition aptly titled A story you seeHis work is a tribute to his visual storytelling.
Inaba’s sheep, deer and bison become the main characters of his stories, and are inspired not only by his observations in nature but also by music and films. Sometimes his sculptures are accompanied by or interact with human figures, leaving the viewer guessing. Through his innovative use of positive and negative space, he invites viewers to fill in the gaps and decide for themselves how the scene will unfold.
The sculptor hopes that his work will inspire people to use their imagination and appreciate the different interpretations that a single work of art can offer. In this way, he acts as a conductor, energetically assembling what we see and then unravelling it again. Each energetic pull on the wire changes the mood of the sculpture.
Sometimes these masterfully crafted metal scribbles seem to blow away. At other moments, it looks like they are actually flowing into the piece, shaping the animal’s body. Each sculpture is truly unique and the result of careful consideration, as Inaba balances between the whole and what we must construct with our minds.
A story you see is currently on view at Yukiko Mizutani in Tokyo until August 31. Those who cannot see Inaba’s exhibition in Tokyo will have the opportunity to do so in France in October by attending a double exhibition at Arts Range in Onfleur.
Tomohiro Inaba’s dynamic wire sculptures tell a different story depending on their location.
Through his innovative use of positive and negative space, he invites viewers to fill the scene with their imagination.
Sometimes it seems as if these expertly crafted metal scribbles are blown away.
At other times it looks like they are actually flowing into the piece, helping to shape the animal’s body.
The sculptor’s works are currently on display in Tokyo, and in October he will be part of a double exhibition in France.
Tomohiro Inaba: Website | Instagram | Facebook
My Modern Met granted permission to show photographs by Tomohiro Inaba.
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