Katsura Funakoshi "The Day I Go to the Forest"

Hakone Open Air Museum

Finished

Artists

Katsura Funakoshi

The sculptor Katsura Funakoshi is renowned for his serene statues of figures with gazes that seem to look into the distance. Throughout his life, he continually questioned the nature of humanity. This exhibition explores the evolution of his work and the perspective that inspired his creations.

Funakoshi's sculptures, including Madonnas and serene figures that transcend gender, evolved into more abstract representations of human existence and mystery. These works include monumental, mountain-like figures, "Moon Eclipse Reflecting on Water" (2004), which embodies the idea of giving human form to the thoughts and actions of "prayer," and "Hands Reaching to the Sea" (2016), inspired by the Great East Japan Earthquake. His journey further led to the "Sphinx," a figure with androgynous features and long ears, symbolizing an eternal observer of humanity. Throughout his career, Funakoshi referred to his ever-transforming works focused on human existence as "mind figures."

"By using my hands, eyes, and mind to create human figures, I wonder if I might come to understand humanity in a way that goes beyond mere intellectual comprehension. I want to believe that, through the accumulation of time, I am contemplating humanity."

— from "The Forest of Falling Words," Kadokawa Shoten

While the exact issues Funakoshi's sculptures represent may not be visible, they give form to the intangible prayers, thoughts, and concerns that surround human existence. Through his art, Funakoshi seemed to weave narratives that prove "each person is a unique being living a singular life."

Schedule

Jul 26 (Fri) 2024-Nov 4 (Mon) 2024