Sequoyah Aono
A Fusion of Traditions: Sequoyah Aono’s Marble Self-Portrait
「青野セクウォイアの自己肖像彫刻『デクスターヘッド』：
ミケランジェロに触発された美」
Sequoyah Aono, a New York-based sculptor, has a unique multicultural background that deeply influences his work. Born in Naples, Italy, to an American father and Japanese mother, Aono was raised in Japan, where he cultivated an appreciation for both Western and Eastern artistic traditions.
The marble sculpture, Dexter Head, featured here is a striking self-portrait of Aono, inspired by Michelangelo’s David. This 3-meter-tall masterpiece (9.8 feet) blends classical and contemporary styles. From the right, its minimalist flat side reveals a silhouette of Michelangelo’s renowned work. From the left, however, the sculpture transitions into a lifelike, three-dimensional depiction, incorporating Aono’s own facial features. This juxtaposition highlights the artist's creative exploration of identity and form.
Carved from white marble, the sculpture is a harmonious blend of clean, minimalist geometry and the graceful, flowing lines of traditional techniques. Its dimensions—3 meters high, 1 meter wide, and 2 meters deep (9.8 ft x 3.2 ft x 6.5 ft)—command attention while maintaining a sense of elegance.
Aono began work on this piece in his New York studio around May or June of 2019. By September that same year, the completed sculpture was installed at the Pola Museum of Art in Hakone, Japan—a fitting home for a work that bridges cultural and artistic traditions.
Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 09:12・2024/10/15
Fujifilm X100V with 5% diffusion filter
ISO 3200 for 1/110 sec. at ƒ/2
Provia/Standard film simulation
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