The National Museum of Art, Osaka
Located on the waterfront of Nakanoshima, Osaka, this is a “completely underground” museum, which is unusual anywhere in the world. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a unique object inspired by bamboo. With around 8,200 works, its collection is one of the largest in Japan, with a focus on contemporary art from Japan and overseas since 1945. In the collection exhibition, artists and works that are important in talking about contemporary art are introduced in attractive themes with a new perspective for each exhibition change.
Main works
Born in the Netherlands and now based in Ronse, Belgium, internationally renowned artist Mark Manders has been working since 1986 on a major project following the concept of “self-portrait as a building.”
Through the framework of architecture, he continues to explore himself, unfolding new worlds through sculptures and objects presented as installations.
This work is representative of Manders' distinctive style, capturing an interrupted moment like a snapshot of the creative process in the artist's studio.
Although it creates the illusion of dry clay peeling away, the piece is cast in bronze. There is no specific model, and the line between reality and fantasy is blurred.
It can be seen as a work that not only embodies the qualities of a portrait sculpture, but also makes space for new possibilities of sculpture that take into account the installation aspect of exhibitions.
Mark Manders, Dry Clay Head, 2015-16
Yoshihiro Suda is an artist known for his intricately carved wooden works of flowers and plants, so finely crafted that they can be mistaken for real vegetation. However, due to the lack of roots and the dry texture of the wood, they lack freshness and softness, and always look the same, emphasizing their entirely handmade nature.
Designed to mimic grass, flowers, and vines, Suda's plants often deceive the eye and are typically placed inconspicuously against inorganic concrete walls, columns, or small gaps in the floor, leaving the viewer awestruck.
This particular work, a single tulip cut at the stem, is oddly placed in an unexpected location. It was created and exhibited for “Three Individuals: Zon Ito, Hajime Imamura, Yoshihiro Suda,” an exhibition held in 2006, and has been on permanent display at the museum ever since.
