Ceramic Artist Shigeki Hayashi’s Futuristic Robot-Children
Drawing inspiration from traditional ceramics from his native region, the artist creates sculptures of humanoids fit for science fiction.
‘OO - I’ (2011) w80 x d38 x h40 (cm) Porcelain, Adhesive, Nuts and bolts in stainless steel © Shigeki Hayashi
Humanoid heads covered in a dark blue liquid, an army of clones sitting in a circle, hybrid beings in individual spacecrafts… All of Shigeki Hayashi’s pieces embody an avant-garde version of the famous Kewpie doll.
Born in Tajimi in Gifu prefecture in 1972, Shigeki Hayashi draws inspiration from the local production of Mino-yaki ceramics for which his region is known. Influenced by the work of ceramic artist Fukami Sueharu, he embarked on this same path for his modernist creations, which have gone on to be displayed in galleries around the world. In 2007, his piece in glazed black and gold suits from the series QP received an award at the Faenza International Competition for Contemporary Ceramics in Italy.
An art of anticipation
With his realistic characters with their moulded faces and bodies, the artist illustrates his perfect mastery of age-old techniques, to which he likes to add texture and colours. ‘Since I don’t have any [assistants], all the processes are done by myself. For my latest work, it took me nine months to [complete] the casting process and one month for the firing and assembling process’, the sculptor explained in an interview with the publication Ceramics Now.
When he was younger, Shigeki Hayashi was an avid consumer of animated films and science fiction manga. These influences can be seen in his ceramics with cherubic faces. With their fixed expression, these mutants, half-children and half-robots, embody the possible relationship between humans and machines. Are they heading off to colonise a new planet? Do they herald a brighter future or a doomed world? Are they taking over society and the population? ‘Each audience may receive different kinds of messages from my work. Some will think [positively] about the future, but others will feel my warning messages’, the visionary artist declared to Ceramics Now. By creating these child-robots, Shigeki Hayashi shares his vision of the society of the future, one that is both frightening and poetic.
Shigeki Hayashi’s work can be viewed on the artist’s Twitter account.
‘New Type Ceramics 2008’, 5 October - 9 November 2008, MSSOKAN (Kobe) © Shigeki Hayashi
‘KAGUYA System’ (2004) w40 x d70 x h120(cm) [x10] Ceramic, Iron rod © Shigeki Hayashi
‘New Type Ceramics’ 20 June - 23 July 2006, MSSOKAN (Kobe) © Shigeki Hayashi
TRENDING
-
Colour Photos of Yakuza Tattoos from the Meiji Period
19th-century photographs have captured the usually hidden tattoos that covered the bodies of the members of Japanese organised crime gangs.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
The Nobu Empire, the Fruit of the Friendship between the Chef and Robert De Niro
The two men are partners in Nobu Hospitality, a luxury restaurant and hotel brand that has become a global success.
-
Hayao Miyazaki, the Man Who Adored Women
The renowned director places strong female characters at the heart of his work, characters who defy the clichés rife in animated films.
-
The Tradition of the Black Eggs of Mount Hakone
In the volcanic valley of Owakudani, curious looking black eggs with beneficial properties are cooked in the sulphurous waters.
