LIFESCAPE ’11
Clay Sculpture by TANAKA Kazuhiko

In 2007, Tanaka Kazuhiko introduced his Miniature figures which captured the attention of many, resulting in “Lifescapes” to become his first memorable international solo exhibition. Since then, exhibitions are held at KEIKO Gallery nearly year; this being the fourth year.

Tanaka’s charming figures freeze casual moments in people’s everyday lives. As the years progressed, new ideas emerged further enriching meaning in the artwork. Since Tanaka began creating these figures, a mysterious contradiction exists in the figures that some may have noticed. This contradiction comes from the figures invoking an impression of sophistication and sharpness, regardless of how the figures are composed on a contour line. The viewer can still imagine a descriptive story even though the figures have no realistic form and the faces have no detailed features. This element of contradiction is what changes Tanaka’s pieces from mere miniature dolls into works of sculpture.

This exhibition centers on a wall piece and a large figure that stands with curious balance. The artist’s expression may seem slightly abstract compared to the more approachable style of before. In the wall piece, the background and figures become one in relief style. The large scale figure is a developed version of the finely balanced figure caught in the moment of falling which was first introduced in an exhibition in 2009. A girl hovers in the sky accompanied by a leaning figure standing still and another figure is surrounded by clouds. The piece seems surreal; like a scene from the world of dreams. The relief piece is like viewing a group of dancers from above or capturing people who just emerged from the world of dreams.

The pieces displayed in this exhibition bring about a slightly different impression from Tanaka’s previous works but his unique expressive method in creating the figures is unchanged from his beginnings. The figures in the relief style wall piece and the independently standing figures; their expressions and actions are non-specific but they induce a narrative from the viewer. Although the figures take on a surreal shape, impossible in reality, the viewer without any restraint or reservation will imagine a story. This is the magic in the figures Tanaka produces. The world of Tanaka Kazuhiko.