A Manifestation of the Soul of the Turn of This Century

Commissioner of Nikikai, sculptor Toshihito Hosono



Japanese sculpture in the 2Oth century has developed under the strong influence of France; and I believe the two countries have acquired a good understanding of their mutual cultures. I am very glad that Daïa, a contemporary French sculptor, is holding her one-woman show in Tokyo in this favorable relationship.

Daïa was born in Paris in 1951, and began her career at the clay- working studio in Paris in 1977. She discovered many possibilities in the " colombin " technique and developed the symbolism of her work. She is now actively engaged in her creative life throughout Europe.

Her works are supported by her well-established and sophisticated technique of artistry. Although I have to leave to an esthetician further comments on the iconological and symbolical expressions that have been cultivated in the long Western tradition, I personally think her sculptures transcend the beautiful form that we generally recognize as typically French and even have the Oriental or grotesque elements. The reason she had to build such a multiple structure is, I suspect, that she could not materialize her inner messages into her works if she stuck to old national borders or each nation's conventional value. If this is so, we may be able to take her works as the manifestation of the soul of human beings living at the end of the 2Oth century.

We can also enjoy the elegant casting technique of French tradition and the beautiful grain of the earthenware that was fired at between 1OOO° C and 13OO° C.

I look forward to seeing many sculpture enthusiasts, as well as the general public, come and enjoy the exhibition.

I wish Daïa great success in her first exhibition in Japan.




Born 1932 in Niigata, Commissioner of Nikikai.
Awarded the Ministry of Education Prize, the
Kikka Prize, etc. Organized the Neve Figurative
Sculpture Exhibition, Invited to the Nikido
Sculpture Exhibition.