A THOMASIAN artist displayed his fondness of the samurai in a one-man show “Taishindan,” which opened last Sept. 29 at Galerie Joaquin in Quezon City.
Richard Buxani, an alumnus of the old College of Fine Arts and Architecture, presented two samurai clans preparing for battle, each piece strategically positioned to protect its samurai lord.
“It’s a critique on the mystique of war. The placement of the pieces is like a big strategy. It can be likened to a political war, for these are all strategies to win,” Buxani told the Varsitarian.
Following his first exhibit, “Bushido” or the code of conduct of Japan’s samurai, his latest show “Taishindan” is a Japanese word that translates to a “raiding brigade.”
Buxani molded all 45 sculptures, each having a unique piece of armor and weapon.
“Samurai Lord (Clan A),” a 21 x 22 x 11 in. sculpture, showed a powerful samurai, sitting upright behind a banner that symbolized his position as a samurai lord.
A brass sculpture titled “Brute Strength (Clan A)” portrayed a shogun pulling his bow and arrow upwards to a full bend.
Buxani, who graduated with a degree in architecture in 1993, specializes in intricate sculptures like three-dimensional figures.
Taishindan runs until Oct. 10.
