Imagine a majestic stag, its form solidified in steel wire, yet dissolving into wisps of air. This is the captivating world of Tomohiro Inaba, a Japanese sculptor who breathes life into metal with his unique “gradient to blank” technique. His sculptures, often depicting woodland creatures and ethereal figures, capture a fleeting moment, a transition between the tangible and the intangible.
Inaba’s artistry lies in the delicate balance between form and emptiness. He meticulously bends and welds galvanized iron, building the physical structure of the animal. Yet, instead of a solid figure, he allows sections to dissipate into thin tendrils, creating a mesmerizing “fade-away” effect. This invites the viewer to participate in the storytelling, to imagine the creature’s movement, its origin, or its destination. Are these creatures disappearing into a dream, or emerging from one?
With titles like “Hearing Footsteps Left by a Star” and “Stars Uncounted”, Inaba’s work evokes a sense of wonder and mystery. He invites us to contemplate the vastness of the universe and the ephemeral nature of existence. His sculptures are not just visual delights, but portals to a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, leaving us with a lingering sense of awe.
