June 27-Aug. 30
Rather than follow the Western standard of figurative sculpture and representing the entire body, Katsura Funakoshi — one of Japan's most renowned sculptors — prefers to create and focus on the details of upper torsos. Since the 1990s, Funakoshi has worked on variant forms of the human torso, often with unusual omissions or additions, such as limbs without hands or two-headed figures.
The main attraction of this show is his "Sphinx Series," which he has been working on since 2005. These sphinxes, influenced by the Western nude, maintain classical body features but also have, among other additions, elongated necks and long bestial ears. The selection of works on display reveal the maturation of Katsura's unique style from his early to his most recent pieces.
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art; 1-1-1 Wakihama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo. Iwaya Stn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri., Sat. till 8 p.m.). ¥1,300. Closed Mon. 078-262-0901; www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng
