samantha1170
Correspondent
Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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 Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 13:00 |
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CLAY DOLL OF JAY
Hi everyone, here's another article I found today that was probably published around mid-2005...
Entering a Fantasy World Where Clay Animals Roam
Clay Doll Creator, MINAGAWA Ryoichi
In Japan, images of cute animal characters including Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and Hello Kitty are used on everything from stationery to T-shirts and contribute greatly to the sales of these products. Many characters are usually born from cartoons and animation, but now many new and totally unique characters are being created from clay dolls in the image of animals.
The creative power behind these characters/dolls is doll creator MINAGAWA Ryoichi. More than 100 personified animal characters appear in his clay fantasy. Some of Minagawa's works that parody famous children's books have names such as "Peter Nyan? (from Peter Pan), "Hanyaka no OOsama" (from "Hadaka no OOsama," the Japanese title for "The Emperor's New Clothes"), "Gullinya Travels" (from Gulliver's Travels), etc. "Nya" is regarded as the sound of a cat in Japan. These characters are loved by children as well as adults. Each of them is somewhat mischievous and looks as if it is claiming something.
Ryoichi's works have been so highly regarded worldwide that 11 of his works, including "Peter Nyan" and "Gullinya Travels" have been awarded the bronze prize at the USA 3D Illustrators Awards in the four consecutive years between 1997 to 2000. In his hometown of Niigata, he is preoccupied with television projects and instructing at classes, and has many fans. Currently, he is extremely busy receiving large orders from the well-known mail order catalogues and art galleries in Ginza and Niigata.
Last month the British funk group, Jamiroquai, came to Japan to promote their new album “Dynamite” (released June 15 on the Sony Music label). Ryoichi is such a big fan of Jamiroquai that he has all their albums from the beginning and received an order from an acquaintance to create a doll of Jay Kay, the vocalist. The cover photo of this month's magazine is one he created with some excitement. Jay Kay was delighted to receive it, Ryoichi says.
To see the whole article, go to http://www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/scenes/kiji/kiji226-4e.html
SAMANTHA |
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