Ivory Sumonmyoji's Resonance : A Harmonious Ode to Onmyōdō's Enigmatic Dance of Dualities

Ivory Sumonmyoji's Resonance: A Harmonious Ode to Onmyōdō's Enigmatic Dance of Dualities stands as one of the most accomplished monumental sculptures within Hiro Ando's series The Miniature Saga: A Playful Palette of Petite Marvels. Combining the symbolic heritage of Japanese culture with the visual energy of Nippon Neo-Pop, the work transforms the artist's iconic Sumonmyoji figure into a contemporary sculptural totem of remarkable presence and complexity.

Standing 130 cm tall, the sculpture is executed in painted and varnished ivory resin supported by an internal steel structure. Its imposing silhouette immediately evokes the stability and ceremonial strength associated with traditional sumo culture, while its immaculate white finish introduces a sense of serenity and contemplation. The result is a work that appears simultaneously powerful and peaceful, monumental and approachable.

The surface is composed of hundreds of miniature sculptural elements derived from Ando's celebrated Onmyōdō universe. These countless details alternate between benevolent and more threatening expressions, creating a rhythmic visual dialogue inspired by the philosophy of duality that lies at the heart of Onmyōdō. Joy and vigilance, harmony and confrontation, calm and tension coexist across the sculpture's surface, transforming it into a visual meditation on the complexity of human nature.

The luminous ivory finish reinforces this symbolic reading. Rather than relying on chromatic intensity, Ando directs attention toward volume, texture, and repetition. Light glides across the polished surface, revealing new details and subtle shadows throughout the day. From a distance, the sculpture appears unified and calm; at closer range, it reveals a dense network of miniature narratives embedded within its structure.

Through this accumulation of forms, Ando explores the construction of identity itself. Each miniature figure functions as an individual fragment contributing to a larger whole, echoing the multiple influences, emotions, and contradictions that shape contemporary existence. The sculpture becomes both a guardian figure and a reflection of the layered nature of personal and collective experience.

Founder of StudioCrazynoodles and one of the leading figures of the Nippon Neo-Pop movement, Hiro Ando once again demonstrates his ability to merge Japanese mythology, contemporary visual culture, and sophisticated sculptural craftsmanship. Ivory Sumonmyoji's Resonance: A Harmonious Ode to Onmyōdō's Enigmatic Dance of Dualities perfectly embodies this synthesis, standing as both an iconic work within his oeuvre and a powerful statement within contemporary Japanese sculpture.

For collectors, acquiring Ivory Sumonmyoji's Resonance: A Harmonious Ode to Onmyōdō's Enigmatic Dance of Dualities represents a rare opportunity to secure a monumental work that combines cultural depth, technical mastery, and strong visual presence while occupying a central place within Hiro Ando's evolving artistic universe.

Ivory Sumonmyoji's Resonance : A Harmonious Ode to Onmyōdō's Enigmatic Dance of Dualities 2017

Materials Resin painted and varnished with steel structure

Size 51 1/5 × 47 1/5 × 31 1/2 in | 130 × 120 × 80 cm

Rarity Limited edition

Medium Sculpture

Condition Preserved in pristine StudioCrazynoodles condition

Signature Signed, dated and numbered engraved under the piece StudioCrazynoodles production StudioCrazynoodles — Artistic label founded by Hiro Ando

Certificate of authenticity Included (issued by authorized authenticating body)

Frame Not included

Series The Miniature Saga : A Playful Palette of Petite Marvels

Manufacturer Designed by the artist and produced by StudioCrazynoodles, the artistic label founded by Hiro Ando.

Image rights A StudioCrazynoodles visual property