LEIGH SLOGGETT: DANCING OKAME By Leigh Sloggett (b.1960), signed with artist's initials 'LS' on the wood box This powerful piece carved from ebony wood depicts a standing Okame, her body is bent backwards as she energetically opens her kimono wide with both hands to reveal her bare breasts. Her face points to the sky and shows an almost ecstatic expression while her meticulously rendered long and abundant hair falls down her back and piles up at her feet. Natural himotoshi through the hair strands and artist initials on the butterfly-patterned kimono's sleeve. With the original wood storage box, which shows the artist's signature and title of the work. HEIGHT 4.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, purchased in 1998. Leigh Sloggett (b.1960) is an Australian contemporary netsuke carver who combines the traditional and functional attributes of the netsuke with innovative ideas, forms and concepts which come from his personal experiences. Mr. Sloggett studied fine arts, majoring in painting and sculpture. In a moving interview, written by Jeffrey Klotz and Phyllis Lieberman in the INS Journal Volume 23, Leigh states: “I see it (netsuke) as the ultimate sculptural art form because it is carved in the round”.