" Resonance of Life" Kohei KIRIMOTO Urushi Art A Solo Show「 生命的迴響 」桐本滉平 漆藝個展 18.10 - 5.11.2025

Curated and presented by

The Gallery by SOIL

"I craft dry lacquer works by molding the essence of nature ~~ fruits, vegetables, stones — into forms that unveil the quiet power woven into all life, including our own.  These natural elements, shaped through time and entwined with one another, whisper the preciousness of existence and the gentle pulse of time."

我以乾漆（脫胎）塑造自然的精髓—— 水果、蔬菜、石頭，展現生命中潛藏的靜謐力量，這也包括我們自身。這些自然元素，經過時間的雕琢，彼此交織，低語著生命的珍貴與時間的脈動。

---

Kohei KIRIMOTO

桐本滉平

Kohei Kirimoto is an urushi artist born in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1992. He is the eighth-generation heir of the Kirimoto family, which has been engaged in lacquerware making for over 200 years, dating back to the late Edo Period. In the early Showa era, the family began specializing in carving wood materials for lacquerware.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in lacquer art, Kohei continues to explore new forms of expression. His works are distinguished by unique shapes created using the "dakkan lacquer technique," which incorporates materials such as lacquer, cloth, rice, and diatomaceous earth. He takes molds from stones and fruits found in the sea of Noto, resulting in organic forms that celebrate the beauty of nature.

Unlike traditional "Wajima lacquerware," which typically involves layering lacquer on a potter's wheel-shaped wooden base and applying ornate maki-e, Kohei's creations reflect his personal connection to the natural landscape of Noto. His art embodies a theme of "respect for life."

Recently, Kohei was affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, during which his beloved cat went missing. In addition to searching for his pet, he is actively involved in rescue cat activities. His influence extends beyond the local community, as he shares updates on the situation through social media, garnering attention from international media for his efforts.

桐本滉平1992年出生於石川縣輪島市，是當地有名的桐本家族第八代傳人，家族從事漆器製作超過200年，歷史可追溯至江戶時代晚期。早在昭和初期，以漆器用的原木材起家。

他在漆藝家族中成長，但持續探索新的表現形式。他的「打坎漆技法」成為了他的代表作，創作的漆器融合大漆、布料、米和矽藻土等材料，並以海洋中的石頭和水果為模具，創造出有機形態，歌頌自然之美。

傳統的「輪島漆器」通常是在木基底上逐層塗漆並應用華麗的蒔絵，桐本滉平卻銳意求變， 他的創作反映了個人與出生地能登半島的大自然之間的聯繫，體現了「尊重生命」的願景。

桐本滉平的工作和生活受到能登半島地震極大的影響，由於心愛的貓在災難中失蹤，他也積極參與救助當地貓兒的工作，在社交平台分享進展，受到國際媒體關注。

---

Meet the Artist

藝術家在廊

Kohei KIRIMOTO will be with us in Hong Kong. Join us to meet him on Saturday, 18.10..2025, 3pm - 5pm

將到香港與我們在 2025 年 10 月 18 日星期六下午3-5時跟大家聚聚， 

"On January 1, 2024, a great earthquake in Noto swept away my home and workshop. Yet, it was my deep commitment to harmony with nature that allowed me to begin anew, even without electricity or water."

2024年1月1日，能登大地震摧毀了我的家與工房。 但正是我對自然和諧的堅持，使我能在無電無水的情況下重新開始。

---

Artist Statement 

藝術家的話

"The curves of nature elude mechanical replication. Each stroke—painting, polishing, shaping— is a labor of love, guided by the soft contours of my fingers and brushes made from human hair. In a world that often prioritizes efficiency, this seemingly irrational act resonates with the rhythm of life shared between humans and the materials that cradle us."

自然的曲線無法被機械復刻。每一筆—— 塗抹、打磨、成形，皆是愛的勞作，指尖與髮毛刷沿著溫柔的輪廓而行。在一個重視效率的世界中，這看似不合理的行為卻是人類與材料之間與生命的韻律相呼應。

If you are interested in any of these lacquerware, please email to team@craftbysoil.com or WhatsApp 95593908. 

若您對任何作品感興趣，請電郵至 team@craftbysoil.com 或 WhatsApp 95593908 查詢，我們樂意為您服務。

---

The Gallery by SOIL is dedicated to presenting the art of lacquer from Asia. It is probably the first gallery in Hong Kong which brings together lacquer masters and artists of diverse cultures, blending the traditional with the contemporary to showcase variety in the discipline.

Address:

The Gallery by SOIL

Shop 102, 1/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun,

10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Business Hours:

Tue - Sat 12nn - 6pm

Sun - 7.9.2025 Open 12nn - 6pm; Other Sundays by Appointment*

Mondays by Appointment*

Public Holidays Closed

*By Appointment. Please whatsapp 95593908 to arrange, one day in advance of your visit.

General Enquiry: 5916 9266 / 95593908