Volga Bondarenko, Oni Doll, 2024, Mixed Media Sculpture

Details

Description

This striking artistic figure draws inspiration from the iconography of japanese noh theater and folklore. The face, modeled on the … Read more This striking artistic figure draws inspiration from the iconography of japanese noh theater and folklore. The face, modeled on the terrifying hannya mask, embodies a tormented spirit, transformed by jealousy and anger into a horned demon. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, the figure is dressed in layered robes reminiscent of a ceremonial kimono, richly adorned with beads, sequins, and metallic embroidery, shimmering with ritual intensity.

the long, flowing hair and ornate staff add a theatrical touch, evoking both the sacred austerity of the priestly figure and the supernatural aura of the spirit of legend. Set on a picturesque base of moss and dead branches, the figure is encased in a protective glass dome, underlining its character as a precious yet poignant reliquary.

combining traditional japanese motifs with contemporary craftsmanship, this sculpture straddles the intersection of fine art, theater, and folklore. It is not only a decorative object but also an evocative meditation on the fragile boundary between the human and the supernatural.

author: volga bondarenko (1993)

title: them

date of creation: february 2024

mixed media: fabric, beads, gold thread, hair, tattoo needle, 3d printer, wood, snake exudate.

height: 50 cm, weight: approximately 10 kg.

from the author:

"my name is polina, i am 32 years old. I come from belarus.

i grew up in a family of artists, and for as long as i can remember, i have been drawing and creating with my hands. I have been interested in beads since i was five.

i create yokai dolls – miniature spirits. Japanese art has always seemed mysterious and alluring to me. Each doll has its own character, mood, and story. Sometimes it all starts with an idea: a geisha, a tengu, an oni. And sometimes – with fabric. One extraordinary material can imbue everything: color, shape, rhythm.

and so – each doll is a unique piece for me.

one day, i came across snake skin – a molted piece. This delicate, almost transparent material inspired me to create a doll in a kimono made from this skin. It was a difficult but very inspiring task: the skin is not flexible, thin as a flower petal dried between the pages of a book. That's how the doll presented here was created." i have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
misattribution See less