日本當代木雕藝術大師土屋仁応（Yoshimasa Tsuchiya）以「幻獸重夢」為主題，於 2025 年 6 月 5日至 7 月 6 日期間與藝術策展團隊 WAY by Way of Difference在海港城美術館攜手策劃其香港首個藝術展覽。這位以「精靈系木雕」聞名國際的藝術大師以其細膩柔美的神獸雕塑聞名，將傳統木雕技藝與超現實幻想完美融合，呈現其筆下神話生物如麒麟、獨角獸、龍等夢幻作品融合了日本傳統佛像雕刻與現代藝術理念，帶領觀眾進入一個靜謐而神秘的異想世界。

Contemporary Japanese wood carving master Yoshimasa Tsuchiya presents his Hong Kong debut exhibition, Cryptids Dream Twice, in collaboration with art curation team WAY by Way of Difference at the Harbour City Art Museum from June 5 to July 6, 2025. Renowned for his “elf-style wood carvings,” the artist creates exquisitely delicate sculptures of divine creatures. Blending traditional woodworking techniques with surreal fantasy, his dreamlike interpretations of mythological beings—including kirin, unicorns, and dragons—merge Japanese Buddhist statue carving traditions with contemporary artistic concepts, inviting viewers into a tranquil yet enigmatic world of wonder.

Why it matters:

土屋仁応的「幻獸重夢」不僅是一場展覽，更是一場跨越現實與幻想的哲學對話。透過日本傳統佛像雕刻的「玉眼」技法與現代美學的融合，土屋賦予木雕作品超脫塵世的靈性，使神話中的幻獸——如穿梭異界的乳白色鹿、象徵自由的獨角獸——成為探討生命本質的載體。展覽靈感源自藝術家觀察愛犬睡夢的細微動作，將這一瞬間轉化為對「現實感知」與「幻想創造」的深刻反思，引導觀眾以動物的視角重新審視世界。本次香港首展不僅是亞洲觀眾首次完整接觸土屋的藝術宇宙，更透過9件全新作品，將個人情感（如紀念逝去的愛犬）與古老傳說交織，呈現出當代木雕藝術的極致表現。展覽挑戰了藝術的邊界，讓觀眾在木材的溫潤質感與水晶琉璃珠的靈動眼神中，感受傳統工藝與現代創意的完美共生。

Yoshimasa Tsuchiya’s “Cryptids Dream Twice“ transcends a traditional exhibition, merging Japanese Buddhist gyokugan sculpting techniques with modern artistry to breathe ethereal life into mythical creatures. Inspired by observing his sleeping dog, Tsuchiya transforms fleeting moments into profound explorations of reality and fantasy. This Hong Kong debut showcases nine new works blending personal narratives with folklore, redefining contemporary woodcarving through warm wood textures and mesmerizing crystal eyes.

2 highlights:

• 土屋仁応以日本傳統佛像雕刻的「玉眼」技法為核心，在檜木與樟木上鑲嵌由玻璃藝術家田中福男特製的水晶琉璃眼珠，賦予幻獸靈動神韻。作品經獨創的淡白色著色處理，既保留木材的溫潤質感，又營造出超脫塵世的空靈氣息，完美結合古老技藝與當代藝術語言
• Tsuchiya’s signature style blends ancient “gyokugan” crystal-eye techniques with modern artistry. Using Tanaka Tatsuo’s hand-blown glass eyes in hinoki and camphor wood sculptures, his pale-toned creations balance earthly warmth with ethereal grace – a masterful dialogue between tradition and contemporary vision.

• 本次香港站展覽特別為香港首展創作9件新作，每件皆源自土屋的生命體驗與哲學思考，包括但不限於：
• 《龍》：紀念逝去的愛犬，願其在天堂化身威武神獸
• 《獨角獸》：象徵藝術家「以角為刃，雕琢未來」的創作精神
• 《鹿》：探討自由與束縛，靈感來自工作室附近的神聖乳白鹿群和
• 《尼斯湖水怪》：重現童年深信不疑、卻逐漸被遺忘的傳說
• 其他如波斯貓、玫瑰靈感的《花龍》等，均將神話與個人記憶交織成敘事

• This Hong Kong exhibition premieres nine exclusive new works, each born from Tsuchiya’s personal journey and philosophical meditations, including but not limited to:
• “Dragon” – A celestial reimagining of his departed canine companion as an eternal guardian
• “Unicorn” – Embodies his artistic credo: “The horn as my chisel to carve tomorrow”
• “Deer” – Contemplates freedom through encounters with sacred albino deer near his studio
• “Loch Ness Monster” – Resurrects childhood wonder about fading mythological creatures
• Other highlights like the Persian cat-inspired piece and “Floral Dragon” (born from rose thorns) intertwine personal mythology with sculpted form.

Background: Yoshimasa Tsuchiya

土屋仁応畢業於東京藝術大學雕塑系，並於2007年獲得文化財保存研究所的雕刻保存修復博士學位。他在學期間深入研究古代雕塑，這為他後來的創作奠定了基礎，使其能夠融合傳統技藝與當代創意，形成獨特的木雕風格。 近年來，他的作品在國際市場上備受關注，多件作品被日本及海外美術館收藏和展出。特別是他的作品《Dream Horse》，在2023年香港蘇富比拍賣中創下木雕拍賣紀錄。目前，他正在富山縣立美術館舉辦個人展覽《土屋仁応－Beyond the Tranquility》。

Tsuchiya Yoshimasa, a Tokyo University of the Arts sculpture graduate, earned a Ph.D. in sculpture conservation in 2007. His deep study of ancient art informs his unique woodcarving style, blending tradition and modernity. His works, collected by museums worldwide, gained international acclaim after Dream Horse set a wood sculpture auction record at Sotheby’s Hong Kong (2023). He currently exhibits Beyond the Tranquilityat Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art.

Final tips:

傳統雕刻技法「一木一雕」指以整塊木材一氣呵成雕刻成型，展現匠人精湛技藝與自然天成的藝術追求。

“Single-block carving” is a traditional technique where artisans sculpt an entire artwork from one solid wood piece, showcasing masterful skill and harmony with nature.

土屋仁応 :「幻獸重夢」（香港站）｜Yoshimasa Tsuchiya : Cryptids Dream Twice (Hong Kong Station)

Date:

2025.6.5 – 2025.7.6

Venue:

海港城美術館,海港城海洋中心二階207號舖｜Harbour City Fine Art Gallery ,Shop 207, 2/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City

Photo courtesy to the artist Yoshimasa Tsuchiya