Pop-Surrealist Sculptures by Yoshitoshi Kanemaki

pop surrealist sculptures

Sculptor Yoshitoshi Kanemaki is sort of like Geppetto. He has the ability to make static wood statues come to life. But he employs a different wood-carving technique than that of the old Disney character. Kanemaki’s figures sport multiple expressions, captured like video frames in succession, depicting the passage of a moment in time.

Pop-Surrealist Sculptures by Yoshitoshi Kanemaki

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki sculptures
Tamayura caprice, 2021, paint on nutmeg, H192 x 83 x 83 cm

Pop-surrealist in style, the wood sculptures by Yoshitoshi Kanemaki have an anime-like quality with their large eyes and perfect pouts. But there’s an obvious difference between this craftsman’s compelling woodwork and  your typical Anime maquette.

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki Tamayura
Tamayura caprice (3 views), 2021, paint on nutmeg, H192 x 83 x 83 cm

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki, who was born in Chiba prefecture and possesses a Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from Tama Art University, calls each of his figures a “Caprice” – a noun that means a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

Shake Caprice (four views), 2017, paint on cypress, H37 x w16 x D10cm

The artist’s technique enables us to see more facets of the subject, both literally and figuratively. This imbues them with emotions conveyed through their expressions.

contemporary sculpture
Circle Caprice, 2018, paint on camphor, H110 x W50 x D57cm

And with each angle, you glean more of the story.

Circle Caprice, 2018, paint on camphor, H110 x W50 x D57cm
meguri caprice 2017
Meguri Caprice, 2017, paint on camphor, H72.5 x W26 X D25cm
Meguri Caprice, 2017, paint on camphor, H72.5 x W26 X D25cm
Meguri Caprice (two views), 2017, paint on camphor, H72.5 x W26 X D25cm

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki carves his captivating Caprice figures from various woods such as Japanese Cypress, Camphor and Nutmeg.

Sculptor Yoshitoshi Kanemaki at work
Sculptor Yoshitoshi Kanemaki at work
Yoshitoshi Kanemaki art
A Caprice in the early stages
Yoshitoshi Kanemaki toys
Warm Caprice and Cold Caprice Art Toys, 2020

Then he hand paints them, impeccably.

wood sculptures
Tamayura Caprice, 2021 (unpainted)
Yoshitoshi Kanemaki artworks
Tamayura Caprice, 2021, paint on nutmeg

The artist recently created this Caprice for Adidas which is displayed in the Adidas Tokyo Store.

Circulus Caprice (Adidas), 2020, H125 x 100 x 43 cm
pop surrealist sculptures
Circulus Caprice (detail)
Circulus Caprice in the window of Adidas, Tokyo
Circulus Caprice in the window of Adidas, Tokyo

These are not small desktop sculptures, these are substantial pieces, ranging in size from approximately 24″ tall to upwards of 110″ tall.

contemporary art
Congratulations Caprice, 2015, paint on camphor, H201 x W81 x D87
japanese sculptor
Congratulations Caprice, gallery view

images courtesy of the artist and Bunkyo Art

Follow him on Instagram @kanemaki_yoshitoshi/
On facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanemaki.yoshitoshi/

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki is represented by Bunkyo Art, FumA Contemporary, Tokyo