The Ephemeral Porsche 996 Carrera 2: May Masutani’s Journey Into Glass
Jamie Ong
Singaporean artist and sculptor May Masutani, currently based in Toyama, Japan, is known for her glass works that explore the fleeting and transitional qualities of human experience. A graduate of the Toyama Institute of Glass Art (2020), she has exhibited widely across Japan and internationally, with solo and group shows in Tokyo, Singapore, Kanazawa, and beyond. Her practice has been recognized with awards including the Tokyo Midtown Award (2023, Excellence Prize) and finalist placements in the Design Anthology Awards (2025) and the Art House Oyabe Contemporary Art Exhibition (2023).
Masutani's work reflects a recurring theme: the in-between spaces of existence. She sees glass as a medium that embodies impermanence, transition, and silent communication and describes it as
“a place of transition where things simultaneously come into existence and cease to be.”
Through minimalistic forms, she constructs balanced yet dynamic modules that shift depending on the viewer’s perspective, invoking a kind of subconscious dialogue between the work, the space, and its audience.
The Idea Emerges
Her latest 2025 work, the Porsche 996 Carrera 2, was a commissioned birthday present from a mother to her son, Colin Chow, the founder of Auto Icons, making it not just a work of art but also a personal keepsake. Created from borosilicate glass using the technique of flameworking, the piece took approximately a month to complete.
Masutani began by studying reference images of Colin’s 2002 Porsche 996 Carrera 2, provided by Colin’s mother. Recognizing that photos alone weren’t sufficient to capture the car’s proportions, she expanded her research with additional images and built a 3D clay model before moving to glass. The Porsche 911 is famed for its flowing curves, which are notoriously difficult to replicate freehand, but Masutani sought to highlight those signature lines in glass. For stability, she introduced additional structural elements, balancing aesthetics with fragility. As she explains:
“The fragility of glass as a material itself offers a reflection on the impermanence of the human experience. Transparent glass, in particular, takes in the space in which it is in, allowing the viewer to enjoy various views of the work depending on the environment it is set in.”
Crafting Impermanence: A Glass Tribute to the Porsche 996
For Colin, seeing the finished piece for the first time was an emotional moment.
“I was thrilled to see it in person after only seeing it in photos.”
The 2002 Porsche 996 Carrera 2 is not only a car but a vessel of personal meaning. Its freehand recreation underscores the uniqueness of the subject.
“The car may not always be with me, but this art piece will.”
The sculpture becomes both a physical object and an emotional marker, preserving the memory of the car in a way that transcends ownership.
Glass Silhouettes, Lasting Bonds
Much of Masutani’s work examines human nature and subconscious communication. She speaks of her art as a silent, unspoken exchange, where presence and absence coexist in balance.
In Porsche 996 Carrera 2, these ideas manifest in glass form. The Porsche’s design is translated into a transparent silhouette, its fluidity and simplicity echoing both the timeless aesthetic of the 911 and the impermanence Masutani often emphasizes. Distinctive features such as the ducktail rear spoiler add a personal layer, signaling that this is not just any Porsche, but a precise memory made visible.
Ultimately, the work operates on multiple levels - as a sculpture, as a symbol of speed and permanence in flux, and as a meditation on how art can preserve personal connection through fragility. In the world of glass sculpture, Masutani has carved out a distinctive voice - one that blends minimalism with intricate craftsmanship and philosophy. Porsche 996 Carrera 2 is a testament to her ability to take the familiar and make it extraordinary, to translate motion, memory, and impermanence into tangible form.
And, as with all of Masutani’s work, it quietly asks you to notice what is often overlooked: the invisible lines that connect us.
Looking Ahead: Boutique Fairs Singapore 2025
The Tokyo Midtown Design Live 2025, an annual autumn event in Roppongi, Tokyo has wrapped for the year where Masutani and selected creators each showcased a single work in a public space. Masutani’s creative journey continues with her upcoming participation in Boutique Fairs Singapore, happening next week from 21–23 November.
It’s a chance to encounter her work in a more intimate, design-focused setting, perfect for those who appreciate craftsmanship, material exploration, and thoughtful artistry. See how she transforms her vision with ongoing projects into a captivating experience for the public eye. Stay connected with her journey - follow her on social media for updates.
