Japanese Artist Creates Animal Sculptures Made From Metallic Flowers

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Japanese artist Taiichiro Yoshida uses traditional metalworking techniques to create flower-encrusted animal sculptures made from bronze, copper, and silver. In Japan, the ancient craft of decorative hot metalworking began sometime during the fourth century, and it’s a skill that has been passed down through generations of craftsman. The process involves carefully beating the hot metal into a malleable medium that can then be moulded into intricate motifs.

Yoshida’s impressively detailed works include squirrels, pigs, birds and macaques—also known as snow monkeys. He often incorporates artifacts from the animal he is modelling, such as skulls or feathers and covers the rest of the body in delicate metal flowers, forming the suggestion that nature is starting to reclaim it.

Each piece begins as a plasticine base to which he adds the flowers—some of which are Japanese cultural symbols. Yoshida uses natural metals found in nature, which mirror the subjects of his art. His sculptures often feature five distinctive colors—white, black, pinkish-red, copper brown, and a blue-green copper patina—each of which are achieved by cooling the heated metal at specific stages. The results are beautiful!

Japanese artist Taiichiro Yoshida uses traditional metalwork techniques to create intricate animal sculptures.

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

Metal Animal Sculptures by Taiichiro Yoshida

In some cases, Yoshida incorporates pieces from the original animal in his sculptures such as skulls or feathers.

are achieved by cooling the heated metal at specific stages

are achieved by cooling the heated metal at specific stages

All images via Taiichiro Yoshida.

Taiichiro Yoshida: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Artsy
h/t: [Colossal]

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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