Born 1980, Japan

Akira Inaba has completed his studies at the Graduate School of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University. His earlier works have articulated human movements as influenced by sports. However, in recent years, he has shifted his focus to figures that explore the nuances of distance in human relationships. Both bodies of work share a common thematic thread, encompassing expressions that reflect contemporary customs and activities.

Inaba derives pleasure from intricately carving the details of individuals' faces, hair, and attire. The characters depicted in his work often represent ordinary people engaged in everyday attire and gestures. This sense of normalcy diminishes the distance between the viewer and the artwork, facilitating a realistic portrayal of the emotions that intertwine with both the stylistic surface and the underlying thoughts and feelings of the subjects.