#smilingstones

Japanese artist Hirotoshi Ito breathes life into stone by transforming it into practically anything but stone itself. His whimsical and unique stone sculptures create surreal optical illusions that can make us forget that they are actually made of solid stone.

After graduating from Tokyo National Fine Arts University in 1982, Hirotoshi Ito went into his family business as a stonemason. He experimented working with metal for several years before turning his attention to stones. Ever since his university years, the artist was interested in showing the expression of softness using harsh materials.