NEW YORK, NY.- Ippodo Gallery presents Eternal Garden: Metalworks by Shota Suzuki, the long awaited second solo exhibition of sculpted metalworks by the distinguished talent from Kyōto. Featuring 23 new works, a delicate mise-en-scène of dandelions, ginkgo leaves, and sakura branches springs to life from today to January 13, 2024. Despite the stillness of Suzuki’s metal flowers and plants, the leaves and petals pulsate as part of a scenic whole and signify the fleeting essence of life.

Shota Suzuki (b. 1987) studied metalsmithing at Tohoku University of the Arts, where he mastered skills that enable him to model that which he sees in the world. Drawing upon rich natural colors, Suzuki imagines plant life from brass alloy and other metals such as gold, silver, copper, and nickel. Hammering flat sheets and long fibers, Suzuki manipulates the hot metal with forging, soldering, and hand-sculpting techniques until the plant structure is a perfect mimicry of its living counterpart. Applying chemical reactions, Suzuki preserves the original and true color of the metal, challenging him to select and pair different varieties that capture the character of the living organism—for instance, the dandelion’s fluffy pappus is an ensemble of brass and nickel.

A commonality persists between metal and plants despite the stark contrast between their constitutions. Though no living organism is eternal, plants are tenacious and resilient, adapting flexibly with their environments. Suzuki’s methods demonstrate that these qualities also apply to metal. “I am creating a landscape—one in transition in which perceptions of time may vary. If you look closely, the artworks are in suspended decay, floating on the wind, or at a crossroads between life and death. Plants and seasons do not end, but rather move around in a continuous cycle.”

Each work is faithful to the true size as it would be found in nature. Suzuki’s fascination with metal began with its ability to withstand the test of time; the life cycle of the dandelion is Suzuki’s central theme of the show—the dispersed seeds return their vital energy to the earth and the cycle begins anew. Alluding to the ginkgo’s ‘living fossil’ adage, Suzuki’s distinctive work is an ancient symbol of longevity and promise. Though wrought from metal, Suzuki captures the leaves amidst a swirling vortex.

Shota Suzuki has collaborated with renowned jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, and his metalsmithing practice has been featuring on the premier Japanese news program NHK.

Ippodo Gallery
Shota Suzuki: Eternal Garden
December 14, 2023 - January 13, 2024
Opening Reception for the Artist: Thursday, December 14, 6-8pm