Private View: TENTACLE by Bikky Sunazawa

This event will provided the opportunity to have a first look at the work of Bikky Sunazawa.

I wish to leave a mark since I am alive and that just happens to be in the form of drawings and sculptures for me. A proof that I am alive so to speak. By Bikky Sunazawa, 1970

Bikky Sunazawa was one of Japan’s most prominent post-War sculptors. Born in Asahikawa on the island of Hokkaido, he was self-taught, developing a practice that was concerned essentially with self-expression through capturing the spirit of human and animal subjects. He is most renowned for his woodcarving, sometimes for public sculptures, but also made abstract paintings and drawings, accessories and furniture.

Bikky emphasised tactile sensation, as he considered touch to be the most undervalued of the five senses. He created sculptures that could be handled and moved, rather than merely seen, allowing people to engage directly with the object world which he referred to as ‘the labyrinth’. Some of his sculptures involve moving parts.

This exhibition, entitled TENTACLE, showcases a number of Bikky’s sculptures, wooden masks, paintings and drawings, made during his mature period, 1975 – 1986, when he was living in Otoineppu village, Hokkaido. He spent much of his time in nearby forests, immersing himself in nature in order to distance himself from the distractions of a rapidly changing modern society. The proposition of his work is as relevant today as it was then. Perhaps even more so.

This exhibition has been made possible by the generous support of Ryoko Sunazawa, Satomi Igarashi and the Great Britain Sasakwa Foundation.

There was an introduction of the exhibition by Jason James, Director General of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, and by Satomi Igarashi and Ryoko Sunazawa.

Bikky Sunazawa’s catalogue published by The Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art (北海道立近代美術館) was on sale during the event for the price of £25.