Ryo Hikosaka. From Tokyo to Paris: Metal as Language, Patina as Artistic Identity
Japanese artist Ryo Hikosaka has made patina the defining language of his artistic expression. Combining his mastery of metalworking techniques, he transforms copper and brass into sensitive, expressive works, reflecting his dual Japanese and French cultural heritage.
Hikosaka embodies a contemporary movement that blurs the line between art and craftsmanship, placing technical excellence at the heart of artistic creation.
From Tokyo University of the Arts to École Boulle
Ryo Hikosaka began his studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, learning dinanderie, ironwork, and other metalworking techniques.
A student exchange at Paris’s École Boulle reshaped his trajectory: he encountered a teaching approach strikingly different from Japan. To his surprise, repoussé was little practiced in France. Under the attentive guidance of French masters, he perfected chiselling and ornamental engraving—techniques he continues to use to finish his pieces today.
The contrast between these two educational systems left a lasting mark. In Japan, learning is broad and exploratory; in France, it is highly specialized, with each craft separated. This focus allowed him to push his work with patinas further, gaining a structured, methodical skill set alongside the more intuitive Japanese approach.
Tokyo University of the Arts, with its famously rigorous entrance exam, provided him with a solid artistic and technical foundation. The curriculum exposes students to a wide range of crafts before they specialize, encouraging freedom of choice. Its demanding focus on Western academic drawing gave him a remarkable grasp of graphic skills, which he later combines with French patinas and Japanese painting techniques.
Choosing Copperwork: a Story of Family Heritage
Early in his university studies, Hikosaka had not yet considered a profession. Yet copperwork revealed itself almost instinctively: after a practical exercise, the smell of metal on his hands reminded him of his father, a coppersmith.
This memory guided his decision. He followed in his father’s footsteps—not under pressure, but with a quiet pride in continuing the family tradition.
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Conquering France
After an initial stay in Paris, Hikosaka returned to complete his master’s in Japan. Despite prestigious job offers, he chose France, where he felt the artist’s status was more rewarding, even though his early days were challenging.
To support himself, he took on renovation work and spent his free time visiting Parisian art schools with his portfolio. There, he met sculptor Hervé Wahlen, who welcomed him into his workshop.
At Wahlen’s studio, Hikosaka refined his patina techniques, produced his first works, and exhibited his creations. One piece caught the attention of Steaven Richard, who hired him as a patina specialist.
At that time, Richard’s atelier had no dedicated expert. Through client commissions, Hikosaka experimented, honed his color and texture techniques, and developed the signature style he is known for today.
Ryo spent five years there before founding his own studio.
Finding His Artistic Language
Ryo Hikosaka operates on the boundary between artisan and artist. The artisan demonstrates technical skill; the artist expresses ideas.
His work seeks equilibrium: technique serves the concept, while concept enriches technique. Today, he produces personal creations—metal paintings, lighting, and furniture—while collaborating with luxury houses, where intricate patinas are highly sought after. This collaboration is particularly enriching, as the brands share his commitment to heritage crafts and excellence.
Copper and brass remain his materials of choice, prized for the nuanced oxidations they produce.
Sharing, Teaching, and Cross-Cultural Dialogue
Unlike some masters who guard their secrets, Hikosaka openly shares his knowledge with those he trains.
For him, technique is an alphabet: each student learns it, then develops their own language.
His work evolves between two worlds: Western abstraction and Japanese figuration. This dual perspective enriches his expression, giving his pieces subtle Japanese inflections within designs that are often Western in style.
Art, Commissions, and Recognition
His practice now revolves around three main avenues:
— personal creations,
— collaborations with other ateliers,
— commissions for luxury houses such as Cartier and Tiffany.
Professional fairs—including Révélations and Rendez-vous de la Matière—allow him to exhibit, connect with audiences, engage with peers, and generate new commissions.
His presence at major Paris craft fairs has opened doors to influential figures in the design world, including architects working on large-scale, high-profile projects.
These encounters continue to shape his trajectory. As Hikosaka refines his techniques and deepens his command of metal, he pushes his practice forward—guided by a constant dialogue between material mastery and artistic imagination.
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