Osamu Watanabe, who is currently holding his solo exhibition “Unseen Sweet Nostalgia” at Whitestone Ginza New Gallery, conducted a workshop for children. Twenty students from Taimei Elementary School, located near the gallery, participated and experienced the whimsical world of sweet decorations created by Watanabe.

Welcome to the World of Sweet Dinosaurs: Osamu Watanabe Explains His Exhibition

Osamu Watanabe Explains His Exhibition

Elementary school students gathered to view the decorated dinosaurs, expressing excitement with comments like ‘Wow!’ and ‘They look delicious.’ As Watanabe explained the concept behind the exhibition, they listened attentively.

Creating a One-of-a-Kind Chocolate Brooch

Children Enthusiastically Engaged in Their Creations

In the workshop, participants created chocolate brooches in celebration of the Valentine’s Day season. Using glue and watercolor paint, they carefully recreated the color and texture of chocolate. As their pieces took shape and the textures evolved, they were amazed, exclaiming, “It looks just like the real thing!”

As the materials were mixed, they gradually took on a texture that looked just like real chocolate.

The process of drizzling chocolate sauce over the base made of paper clay.

While Watanabe provided guidance on the basic crafting process, he allowed the children to explore their own choices for chocolate colors and toppings. His willingness to actively assist younger students when they found certain tasks challenging was particularly memorable.  

Osamu Watanabe Explaining the Crafting Process

After creating the chocolate, the children moved on to the decoration stage. Replicas of nuts, fruits, and chocolate sprinkles were provided, allowing them to freely choose their toppings.

This was the most exciting part for the children. Some even went beyond what they had been taught, adding their own creative touches, letting their imagination shine.

Borrowing leftover chocolate sauce of a different color, they created patterns using two shades of chocolate.

They carefully focused on intricate details, such as placing tiny replica lemon slices with precision.

The Transformation of Perspective: From the Experience of Creating to Appreciating Art

After completing their creations, the children displayed their brooches for a group viewing. “They all look so different!” they exclaimed, pointing and comparing their works with one another. Some arranged the toppings to resemble faces, while others aimed for a more stylish rather than cute design, showcasing a variety of creative approaches.

Some children demonstrated strong enthusiasm for creation, using the extra time to craft additional sweet-inspired pieces.

The creations made by the elementary school students—though crafted from the same materials—immediately showcased their individuality, with variations in chocolate colors and chosen decorative elements

The session concluded with a Q&A segment. When a student asked, “How long does it take to make a piece?” Watanabe responded, “A small piece takes about three weeks, while a larger one can take up to two months.” The students reacted with astonishment. Having experienced the creative process themselves, they seemed to gain a deeper appreciation for the effort and dedication required to bring an artwork to life.

Osamu Watanabe Answering Questions

The workshop concluded with great excitement and energy. The children shared their enthusiastic thoughts, saying, “At home, I’d worry about making a mess, so it was fun to create freely!” and “I want to try making other sweets too—please hold another workshop!” It was a joyful time where creativity and originality shone.  

Watanabe continues to host workshops, expanding the world of sweet decorations while responding to requests from his fans. With a smile, he remarked, “It’s always fascinating when unexpected and imaginative creations emerge.”

Enjoy the world crafted by Osamu Watanabe through our online exhibition as well.

Online Exhibition: Unseen Sweet Nostalgia