Acrylic on wood sculpture

12 × 17.5 × 10 cm.4 3/4 × 6 7/8 × 3 7/8 in.

Signed in English, dated and numbered on the bottom
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

Great Art Conceals Itself with Pure Beauty
Sakata Genpei's Hedgehog

Genpei Sakata, born in 1987 in Kyoto, Japan, grew up in a artistic family. His father was a ceramist, which influenced his interest in art since childhood. He began creating art after graduating from Ryukoku University in 2011. His early paintings of cute little animals were awarded the VAAD Visual Art Award in Japan, and were included in the Japanese Primary School's textbook in 2015. His sculptures have retained the sculptural traces like ancient pottery. They were first exhibited in 2013, and the following year they were discovered by the director of the Setouchi City Museum of Art, Kazuomi Kishimoto, who regarded them as a treasure. He invited Sakata to exhibit them at the museum in 2017. In the same year, Sakata won the Ryukoku Prize in 2019. His works have been collected by Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan.

A Wonderfully Cute Hedgehog, a Kindly Healing Spirit

Hedgehog is a lovely artwork: the artist sculpted the piglet-like form of it and delicately shaped the short spines on its back. Its pointy snout is transformed into a rounded, cute shape, exaggerated and enlarged, adding a cuddly touch. Sakata painted colour directly to the wood and preserved the natural texture. The hedgehog's mouth is slightly open, as if it is looking around and sees a human being. It stands still because it is naturally timid and shy, but also wants to get closer to human. Such sensitive emotion is immediately cherished. Sakata's work brings a sense of intimacy to the viewer's heart, making it unforgettable.

Price estimate:
HKD: 6,000 - 12,000
USD: 800 - 1,500

Auction Result:
HKD: 26,400