Seeking inspiration for this show, Akashi Ryōtarō (b. 1971) reconnected with nature in isolation. Though there is continuity with his previous work, his latest sculptures now demonstrate a deeper level of both intricacy and color. His newly developed technique that he calls hekikōsai refers to the blue-green colors that are hidden and revealed by shifting light. 

This multistep process enables him to preserve the sharp, clean lines of his original form. His intricately carved textures are a result of his profound appreciation for the wondrous textures found in nature, whether on a leaf or seed or the feathers of a bird’s wing.

He strives to capture the complexity that he observes in nature and the emotional experiences that such encounters evoke.