Reviving the Spirit of the Tasmanian Tiger: A Sculpture by Haruka Miyamoto

In the realm of extinct creatures, few evoke as much fascination and sorrow as the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine. Native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea, this enigmatic marsupial was a striking blend of dog-like features with tiger-like stripes. Officially declared extinct in 1936, the Tasmanian tiger continues to captivate scientists, artists, and dreamers alike, inspiring efforts to rediscover its traces in the wild or even resurrect it through genetic research.

Haruka Miyamoto, the accomplished sculptor from Hiroshima, Japan, offers her own homage to the Tasmanian tiger through a breathtaking creation. Known for her ability to blend realism with imagination, Haruka Miyamoto breathes life into extinct and mythical animals, crafting sculptures that serve as both a celebration and a lamentation of lost wonders. Her Tasmanian tiger sculpture is a poignant masterpiece that embodies her signature style: meticulous craftsmanship, an eye for detail, and the deep cultural resonance of mottainai (もったいない)—a philosophy of cherishing and honoring resources.

Haruka’s Tasmanian tiger is crafted from a harmonious blend of materials, including reclaimed metals, natural leathers, and delicately dyed fabrics. The sculpture captures the thylacine mid-stride, its sinewy form exuding a quiet power and grace. Each stripe is hand-etched, reflecting the unique patterning that made every thylacine distinctive. This piece, like much of Haruka’s work, transcends simple representation. It imagines the thylacine not as a relic of the past but as a vibrant presence, alive with possibility. The interplay of textures and materials mirrors the fragility and resilience of nature, a theme central to Haruka's art.

For Haruka, the Tasmanian tiger embodies the delicate balance between human innovation and the natural world—a balance too often disrupted. Her use of mottainai extends beyond her materials; it permeates her message. By crafting a sculpture from salvaged and repurposed elements, she highlights the interconnectedness of life and the responsibility we bear to protect it. The thylacine, long gone yet eternally remembered, reminds us of the cost of neglect. Haruka Miyamoto’s art invites us to reflect on our actions and consider how we can honor what remains before it is lost forever.

Tasmanian Tiger : A sculpture by Haruka Miyamoto.

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