Hirosuke Yabe Exhibition

Hirosuke Yabe

2025.10.1 [wed] ― 11.30 [sun]

table of contents

prologue

Exhibition

Artist introduction

ArtWorks

prologue

Title

When I first saw Yabe's work, I felt a shock, as if I had witnessed a monster that is usually invisible but has accidentally made itself visible, and at the same time, a sense of amusement as its humorous appearance brought a smile to my face. This presence, which is hard to remove from your mind once you see it, is in line with Yabe's desire to "create works that are always close to people."

Yabe creates original shapes using materials such as sturdy zelkova, which is difficult to carve, and old lumber that once supported buildings but is no longer in use. His bold and seemingly rugged works, which leave rough marks from the blade, are meticulously conceived, and by completing them while deliberately leaving them "unfinished," they exude a solid presence.

The artwork leaves room for the viewer to imagine, and the expression of the work, which does not say too much, allows it to be viewed in a number of different ways, which is enjoyable. This is the very charm of Yabe's work.

Exhibition

Title

Orange Gate: Hirosuke Yabe Exhibition

The works I want to create are the ones I truly want, and I create sculptures because there are no works I want.

However, on the other hand, there is nothing more boring than a work that is "created exactly the way you want it to be." To avoid this, I try my best to create results that are "not exactly what I want."

To achieve this, it is best to use tools that are as difficult to use as possible. For example, a large hatchet is used to carve wood into pieces. Sometimes it is necessary to use a drill bit to carve wood. Hatchets are too heavy for carving and are not suitable for delicate work, and drills are primarily used to make holes. They do not obediently follow "my will."

When it's finished, it might be better if it's slightly different from what you "wanted."

What is a human being?

Taking this question as a theme, I would like to create sculptures that depict the stories that people and human society have.

These "sculptures" are pure and innocent, cute, yet at the same time scary and strange.

Hopefully, I would like to create something that will make people burst out laughing.

September 2025

Hirosuke Yabe

Artist introduction

Title

Hirosuke Yabe

Sculptor Hirosuke Yabe was born in 1972 in Kanagawa Prefecture.
After graduating from the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design, Tokyo Zokei University, majoring in sculpture, he completed his research as a research student in the Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design, Tokyo Zokei University.
Using materials such as heavy wood, small pieces of wood, and scrap wood, he deliberately riddles the surface with holes using a woodworking drill or leaves vivid traces of the scrapes, creating a series of woodcarvings of monsters and demons with a strong presence, adorable yet slightly scary girls, humorous animals, and mysterious creatures.

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