Miyagi-based artist Misato Sano creates distinctive wooden dog sculptures that serve as a form of self-portraiture. Her work, carved from camphor wood and finished with oil paint, uses exaggerated features and textured surfaces to express a range of emotions and personalities, from shy to silly, as a means of exploring and deepening self-love.
Sano's practice is gaining international exposure, with upcoming exhibitions in Taiwan, the United States, and Japan. Her unique style, which extends into embroidery and illustration, represents a significant and charming contribution to contemporary wood sculpture, connecting personal introspection with universal appeal through a beloved animal form.