Two figures in a wooden sculpture ensemble carrying pieces of furniture across an abstract landscape.

Fumiaki Aono Transforms Discarded Furniture into Surreal Wooden Narratives

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Written by John Oliver

2026-08-03

Imagining Life in Repurposed Wood

Since 1998, Fumiaki Aono has delved into the intriguing journey of objects and their new contexts. His fascination with restoration and regeneration naturally led him to wood, a material ripe for storytelling and transformation.

Today, Aono continues to breathe life into discarded items. Dressers and cabinets assemble into towering sculptures, serving as imaginative stages for diverse narratives. In his creations, drawers become inhabited structures; they evoke apartment buildings bustling with life. Some pieces even depict vehicles, like box trucks, seamlessly integrated into the wooden frameworks, while elements like bicycles, hats, and shoes punctuate his art, symbolizing movement and change.

If you’re fascinated by surreal transformations in art, explore how Matthew Grabelsky’s surreal paintings present imaginative narratives in everyday settings.

Figure peeking from a bookshelf adorned with miniature scenes and wooden elements.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of a figure peeking out from behind a bookshelf with small scenes

Layers of Memory and History

Aono’s shift from working with plywood to incorporating secondhand furniture introduced a rich conceptual depth to his work. “These objects bring the old memories and lived histories of people into the imagery of the work,” Aono explains. His evolving notion of ‘regeneration’ transcends physical form, weaving together history, memory, and ancient legends into a complex tapestry.

To delve deeper into the concept of reimagining everyday materials, see how Simon Berger’s glass portraits reveal new meanings through creative process.

Discover more of his unique creations on his website and Instagram.

Figures intricately carved into a towering wooden structure, creating a surreal narrative.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures in towering structure
Unfinished wooden sculpture depicting intertwined figures engaging with their environment.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures me
Detailed wooden sculpture with figures integrated into a complex, towering structure.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures in towering structure
Wooden figures depicting life within a towering assemblage, blending realism and fantasy.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures living in towering structure
Abstract wooden sculpture by Fumiaki Aono, focusing on form and texture.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono
Detailed wooden sculpture of a car embedded in surreal narrative by Fumiaki Aono.
a sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of a car
Two truck sculptures emerging from furniture, showcasing transformation and creativity.
two wooden assemblage sculptures by Fumiaki Aono of trucks emerging from furniture
Figures embedded within furniture pieces, merging into the abandoned structure.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures merging with furniture
Figures scaling a towering furniture piece, depicting a challenging ascent.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures scaling a towering piece of furniture
Wooden figures, trees, and a dog compose a whimsical, nature-inspired scene by Aono.
a wooden assemblage sculpture by Fumiaki Aono of figures, trees, and a dog

Source: thisiscolossal.com

Frequently asked questions

What inspires Fumiaki Aono’s artwork?

Fumiaki Aono is inspired by the journey of objects and their new contexts, focusing on restoration and regeneration, particularly with wood, which he finds ripe for storytelling and transformation.

How does Aono incorporate old furniture in his art?

Aono repurposes discarded items like dressers and cabinets into towering sculptures, using them to create imaginative narratives where drawers become inhabited structures and vehicles like box trucks are seamlessly integrated.

How does Aono’s work reflect history and memory?

Aono’s work reflects history and memory by bringing the old memories and lived histories of people into his artwork through the use of secondhand furniture, creating a tapestry that weaves together history, memory, and ancient legends.