Koji Ryui is known for transforming humble materials into delicate and wondrous sculptures. Made from household items, his artworks reward close viewing, bringing into focus changes and differences in texture, light and matter.

In works like Calico crown, Etymology and Petit pois #2, Ryui incorporates a plethora of found objects — from plywood and clay to cork and thumbtacks. Rather than ‘making’ an artwork, Ryui describes his role as teasing out the possibilities inherent in the materials he accumulates. His approach draws attention to the surfaces and colours of everyday domestic items that might otherwise be overlooked.

Ryui’s predominantly abstract works are nonetheless rich with associations. His arrangements recall the clusters of objects found in roadside Shinto shrines in Japan, while his clever use of weight and form are a testament to his knowledge of the principles of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.