About the Object

Intertwining themes of nature and technology, Ryo Toyonaga’s works represent surrealistic worlds filled with mysterious hybrid creatures. Unlike other artists of his generation, such as Takashi Murakami and Kenji Yanobe, Toyonaga purposefully creates these disturbing objects, triggering memories of suffering and pain, to counter what he perceives as the superficiality of today’s Japanese culture. Untitled-CO4 is the only work on paper in the foundation’s collection of Toyonaga’s work, showcasing his experimentation and translation of imagery throughout various mediums.

Additional Information

Between 1987 and 2003, Toyonaga built over 300 ceramic-based sculptures. In 2009, Toyonaga’s Mephistophelean was one of the first exhibitions held at the foundation, displaying ceramic-based sculptures created between 1991 and 2003.