white mask
Kiichi Sumikawa
1969/Polyester resin, paint/Japan
He is a sculptor who represents modern Japanese sculpture, and has also worked on many environmental sculptures, including supervising the design of the Tokyo Sky Tree. “White Mask” is part of the “MASK” series created from the mid-1960s to the mid-70s, and reflects his interest in African masks and Japanese armor, as well as his involvement in reconstructing ancient human faces. is a major starting point.
The top of the piece has dents and chisel marks, combining the organic shapes and sharp forms typical of this series. The artist's intention is to bring out the inner structure of the sculpture to the surface, in the same way that a mask or armor evokes the inner (hollow) form, rather than pursuing a strong sense of volume.