Artist Bruno Walpoth's wood sculptures presented in Beijing

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Acclaimed Italian sculptor and artist Bruno Walpoth's wood carvings are on display in Beijing, in his "Mute Encounters" exhibit. The sculptures are not set up with any background decorations, but each of them still reveals feelings and unique spirits.

These wood carvings are believed to be more than sculptures. Visitors to the hall immediately feel like they are one of them. Some come to visit because of Walpoth's reputation, others soon become his fans upon seeing the sculptures.

“Karina” by Bruno Walpoth. / CGTN photo

"I heard about the artist but didn't know him well,” said one visitor. “I like his way of sculpting every human figure, especially this piece 'Anima Fragile'. I really feel her fragility though her facial expression and body gesture. The sculptor is super good."

Born into a family of wood sculptors, Bruno Walpoth had taken on a centuries-old local tradition and modernized it for the current day. He carves human figures from blocks of wood, each one based on a human model, with very plain gestures.

The artist said that his sculptures do not tell stories, nor is he even attempting to transmit messages. For Walpoth, it is important that the viewer's gaze does not stop at the surface of the sculptures, but goes beyond the outside to capture the inner life of the work.

“Felix” by Bruno Walpoth. / CGTN photo

Gao Gao, director assistant of the CAFA Art Museum said, "The artist said he wanted to make figures look mysterious. So as we see, the figures don't have dramatic expressions, and none of them look into the visitors eyes. They either semi-close their eyes or look into the distance. People can see introspection in them."

The exhibition of Bruno Walpoth's wood sculptures runs through May 1 at the CAFA Art Museum in Beijing.

(Top image: “Anima Fragile” by Bruno Walpoth. / CGTN photo)