Tokyo-based sculptor Yoshitoshi Kanemaki is presenting his latest collection of kaleidoscopic wooden sculptures that examine the complex nature of human identity and self-perception. His new solo exhibition, "Insight Prism," opens at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo this month, featuring his signature "glitched" sculptures carved from single pieces of timber that display multiple facial expressions simultaneously.
The exhibition showcases Kanemaki's ongoing "Prism" series, which explores themes of distortion, reflection, and self-consciousness through fragmented triangular motifs. The artist's wooden sculptures feature warped facial features that appear to refract, separate, and reassemble, creating a visual metaphor for the ever-evolving nature of human consciousness and social interactions. Each piece is meticulously carved from various types of wood, including Torreya, Japanese nutmeg, katsura, and camphor wood, with painted details that enhance the kaleidoscopic effect.
Kanemaki explains the conceptual foundation of his work by combining two key ideas that drive his artistic practice. "The word insight carries the meaning of seeing into the essence of things with clarity, while prism metaphorically refers to elucidating what is complex," the artist states. Through this approach, he addresses the multiple roles people play in their daily lives, switching between different versions of themselves to navigate various situations and environments.
The exhibition features several notable pieces, including the largest sculpture Kanemaki has created in the Prism series to date - the namesake work "Insight Prism," which measures 170 x 72 x 67 centimeters and is crafted from painted Japanese nutmeg and katsura wood. Other significant works include "Breathing Caprice A," a 135 x 75 x 55 centimeter sculpture made from painted Torreya wood, "Reflection Prism" (170 x 53 x 51 centimeters, painted Torreya), and "Ulala Caprice 3rd" (100 x 34 x 34 centimeters, painted Japanese nutmeg and camphor wood).
The artist's exploration of identity stems from his observation of how people adapt their personalities to different social contexts. "While such shifts can be seen as a necessary social manner to keep life running smoothly, there are times when we lose the vision of our true self," Kanemaki reflects. This philosophical inquiry forms the foundation of his artistic investigation, as he explains: "The idea for my new sculptures began with the question: What might the form of searching for one's true self look like?"
"Insight Prism" marks Kanemaki's first solo exhibition in two years, representing a significant milestone in his artistic career. The show demonstrates his continued mastery of wood carving techniques while pushing the boundaries of sculptural expression. Each piece in the exhibition embodies his unique ability to capture the complexity of human emotion and identity within the medium of carved and painted wood.
The exhibition runs from September 12 through September 27 at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo. Art enthusiasts and collectors can follow Kanemaki's ongoing work and artistic developments through his Instagram account, where he regularly shares insights into his creative process and upcoming projects.
