Hideki Iinuma is a sculptor from Tokyo, Japan who carves bold, self-possessed female and genderless figures out of wood. Standing as tall as 3ft or more, seated or as wall pieces, Hideki adorns the figures in intricate, fashion-forward decoration and with a presence that is both ethereal and commanding. These icons of contemporary femininity and sexuality embody a muse for the modern age: independent, expressive, and unafraid to take up space. They stand as testaments to identity and art as a reflection of the ever-evolving female spirit.
8 Questions
Describe the moment you realized art fed your soul.
I have been engaged in art since childhood, but I truly realized its deep connection to my soul when I began working primarily with wood. The tactile sensation, resistance, and organic nature of the material created a sense of dialogue between me and something beyond myself.
What themes do you pursue in your art?
My work explores the interaction between tradition, contemporary art, and fashion, reflecting the passage of time and impermanence. I am particularly influenced by the aesthetics of wabi-sabi and the dialogue between Japanese and Western art.
What influences the direction of your craft?
I am influenced by traditional Japanese woodcarving techniques, but I also incorporate abstract and modern forms, drawing inspiration from abstract painters such as Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock. The grain and texture of the wood often guide my creative decisions.
“It’s true that when I was five years old, and my father, a conductor for Japan Rail, showed me a catalogue from the Picasso exhibition at Shinjuku Isetan Museum, I started talking about my dream of being a painter. Those pictures from a far-off Spanish painter reached this little boy in Matsumoto. From that early age my imagination and curiosity for what lay beyond these mountains that surround us on all sides started to grow. I could not talk to these people who lived over the mountains and over the seas, but it was possible to communicate by painting pictures. How could such an amazing thing happen?”
How has your work developed over time?
Initially, my work was functional and representational, but over time it evolved into more abstract and conceptual forms. Experimenting with different types of wood and surface treatments, and blending Western art and fashion with wood sculpture, has become an essential part of my creative practice.
What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
My chisels. Each tool carries the history of my practice and defines the quality of my work.
Do you collect anything?
I collect Choro-Q pullback toy cars from Japan. They evoke nostalgia for Japan’s post-war automotive industry and my childhood memories of model cars and miniatures. Each toy carries a story and a connection to the past.
Monet, 2013 / H77x21x13cm / from Zelkova wood (available at Poet and/the Bench)
What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen, read, watched, or listened to recently?
I am inspired by stories of painters. Documentaries on German artists such as Anselm Kiefer and Gerhard Richter, who create in harmony with their souls, deeply resonate with my approach to sculpture.
Swan (middle), 2016 / H38x11x7cm / from Magnolia wood (available at Poet and/the Bench)
What advice would you give to your younger self about your artistic journey?
Trust the process and embrace mistakes. The imperfections in the material and technique often lead to unexpected beauty and new creative paths.
Bonus Question: What role does music play for you while you work?
I sometimes live-stream my work on Instagram and YouTube, using royalty-free AI-generated music. I also create and listen to my own lo-fi, chill sounds to stay focused while working.
“Art rooted in one country leaves the hands of the artist and travels the world to the children of other countries.”
Hideki Iinuma was born in Matsumoto (Nagano Prefecture) in 1975. During his academic years, he moved to Tokyo and Nagoya. In 2002, he went to France for further studies and later held exhibitions in countries including Germany, Italy, Switzerland and The Netherlands. His artistic creative abilities gained international recognition in Europe, even before Japan. This is Hideki Iinuma's first exhibition in the US.
We are delighted to represent these works that present female and genderless figures that are effortless yet powerful, embodying a muse for the modern age: independent, expressive, and unafraid to take up space. They stand as testaments to identity and art as a reflection of the ever-evolving female spirit. Enjoy them in our gallery and on our website here.
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