Next-generation metal sculpting
- Kazuhiro blends metals to create new forms
- He has adapted thermal spraying and developed innovative coating techniques
- His sculptures raise contemporary themes and highlight modern sensibilities towards nature
Kazuhiro Toyama graduated from Musashino Art University’s metalwork department. Passionate about crafting since childhood, he learned metalworking basics in high school, then honed his skills in hammering and engraving, merging craft and art. Kazuhiro was a research assistant at Musashino Art University before opening his atelier in Kanagawa in 2022. In his sculptures, Kazuhiro blends the hardness of metal with its softness, creating pieces coloured through chemical reactions of copper. He values sustainability, and forms pieces that explore nature and industry. His unique techniques include adapting thermal spraying and using a plasma cutter. Kazuhiro prioritises the dialogue with materials, enjoying the emergence of unexpected shapes, and aims to create works that directly convey beauty and appeal, balancing technique and expression.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
In my high school graduation project, I crafted clothing from iron plates by hammering them into drapery. This technique softened the hard material. This technique resonates in my current work, adding delicacy and fragility to my creations.
Tradition is about inheritance, but evolving perspectives on technique and materials is crucial. I believe in advancing them in line with modern sensibilities and values, creating works suited to today's lifestyle and mindset. It is not just about messages; practical tools need updating to fit current lifestyles, blending tradition with contemporary relevance.
Ultimately, the importance lies in creating objects that are beautiful and captivating. The initial allure of a piece is paramount. While technical skill is essential, my goal is to produce works that immediately convey energy and beauty, prioritising direct impact.
Conceptually, I enjoy melting existing materials to create organic forms, allowing the process to unfold naturally. Iron, often seen as artificial, is crucial in both Earth's core and the human body. Restoring iron's organic essence in my work, I transform industrial products into organic creations, evoking a sense of life sprouting anew.
