Burnt wood table sculpture with yakisugi technique & wabi-sabi philosophy by sculptor Dean Marino. Title: Daruma Artist: Dean Marino Year: 2024 Material: wood Technique: Yakisugi Wabi-sabi philosophy Measures approximately 37hx25x25 cm (14.5Hx10x10 INCHES) Single piece Certificate of authenticity included Handsigned The images are an example. You will receive a sculpture similar in shape, size & color but it will be a unique piece carved just for you. The unique & unrepeatable grains & the workmanship carried out by hand by the sculptor Dean Marino guarantee that you own a unique object, with a certificate of authenticity included & signed by hand. I need 7 days to create it & deliver it to the courier. I am Dean Marino, an Italian sculptor, & I am proud to present my unique collection of Daruma, sculpted from the precious cedar of Lebanon. These sculptures are not mere decorative objects; they embody a deep connection with Japanese tradition & aesthetic philosophy. I use the cedar of Lebanon for my sculptures, a wood known for its durability & natural beauty. This precious wood, with its unique grain & distinctive fragrance, adds a tactile & olfactory dimension to my works. I adopt the Japanese technique of yakisugi (or shou sugi ban), an ancient method of wood charring. This process not only protects the wood, making it more resistant to the elements, but also imparts a dark, textured surface that enhances the natural characteristics of the cedar. The charred finish creates a visual contrast between the depth of the carbonized black & the light reflecting off the sculpted surfaces, adding a sense of mystery & history to each Daruma. The philosophy of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the beauty of imperfection & impermanence, is at the heart of my work. Each Daruma shows signs of its handcrafted process, small irregularities & imperfections that make each piece unique. These marks are not flaws but expressions of the intrinsic beauty of the material & the creative process. They represent the transience of life & the simplicity found in the natural imperfection of the world. Japanese Daruma are symbols of perseverance & good fortune, inspired by the figure of the monk Bodhidharma. Traditionally, Daruma are painted without eyes, allowing the owner to paint the first eye when setting a goal & the second eye once it is achieved. This ritual represents determination & the ability to overcome adversity. My Daruma maintain this symbolism but reinterpret it through the lens of my artistic & cultural experiences. The robustness of the cedar of Lebanon & the yakisugi technique symbolize resilience & protection, while the wabi-sabi aesthetic invites one to find beauty & value in the journey & transformation, rather than just the final outcome. Each Daruma I sculpt is a talisman of inner strength & perseverance, an invitation to find balance & beauty in the natural cycle of life. Purchasing a Daruma made by me means owning a unique piece, handcrafted with attention to detail & a love for art. Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind, an artwork that tells a personal story. My Daruma are not just objects of beauty but carry deep symbolic value. They represent perseverance, inner strength, & the beauty of imperfection, offering owners a constant reminder of these values in their daily lives. The clean & minimalist aspect adds a touch of elegance & history to any environment. Whether displayed in homes, offices, or public spaces, the cedar Daruma become focal points that draw attention & stimulate reflection. With these Daruma, clients connect not only with Italian art but also with ancient Japanese traditions. This cultural fusion enriches the experience of owning a piece of art, making each Daruma a bridge between two worlds. in summary, my Daruma are a fusion of tradition & innovation, natural materials & ancient techniques, Eastern philosophy, & Western sensibility. They are more than mere sculptures; they are stories carved in wood, symbols of a personal & universal journey towards realization & beauty. Handcrafted Daruma By Dean Marino Unique, Resilient, Inspiring
