Sota Sakuma (b. 1977, Japan) is a Prague-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice bridges Japanese folklore, European surrealism, and traditional Czech puppet theater. Fascinated since childhood by nature and the encyclopedic variety of the animal world, he builds narrative worlds populated by whimsical monsters, hybrid figures, and enchanting flora, translating peculiar visions into poetic allegories.
His canvases balance gentle, endearing humor and subtle absurdity with a deep sense of humanity. His diminutive characters navigate complex relationships and situations, inviting viewers into a magical realm unburdened by cold rationality. Drawing on the tenderness of Jiří Trnka and the surrealism of Jan Švankmajer, Sakuma works with exceptional material precision and intricate detail, a craftsmanship that blurs the boundary between the real and the ideal.
Sakuma studied textile design in Tokyo before moving to Prague in 2000 to study scenography for alternative and puppet theater under Petr Matásek at DAMU, the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout Europe and Japan, including presentations within Jonathan Kugel’s Cabinet de Curiosités.