Kazuma Yamamoto solo exhibition “Formless Sky”
shimokitazawaartsThere are ever-changing clouds, colorful and sweet fruits and the feeling of threatening and unstable on the bright and pop images.
Influenced by Matisse, Caravaggio, Transavant-garde, and recently Hiroshige Utagawa, Kazuma Yamamoto continues to evolve in pursuit of new visuals and publishes approx.10 his latest artworks from his free, beautiful, and elusive "SKY" series at this solo show.
December 3 - 25, 2022
1-7pm
Closed on Mon, Tue and Wed.
*Opening reception：December 3, 5-7pm
Anyone can participate in the opening reception.
Shimokitazawa Arts is pleased to announce, "Formless Sky", solo show by Kazuma Yamamoto.
Kazuma Yamamoto is born in Tokyo, 1998. He is currently student of Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, Oil Painting. Since his first year at university, his works have been attracting for his contemporary concepts and outstanding drawing skills, and is a notable young artist who acitively presents his works at solo and group exhibitions.
Inspired by meme (sometimes spreading with malice and aggression) on the internet and horror movies, Yamamoto has created works that coexist with loveliness and disquietingness. He creates pop and uncomfortable paintings using wide range of motifs from famous characters, advertising expressions, mythology and religion and so on.
This solo exhibition presents works from his single series "Formless Sky" for the first time. There are a human-shaped down suit assimilating into the sunny sky and colorful fruits floating on the bright pictorial space. However the viewer notices a mysterious existence and poisonous brilliant fruits in the refleshing sky and will be fascinated by his skillful expression and "uncomfortableness" Yamamoto planned. In spite of its impact, it strangely doesn't make us feel heavy and it's one of his work's features through today's sensibility.
Influenced by Henri Matisse, Caravaggio, Transavant-garde, German neo-expressionism, recently Hiroshige Utagawa, Kazuma Yamamoto continues to explore new expression. Please enjoy his latest woks.
Artist's statement
The human figure wearing a down suit is the image combining the sky and clouds, which are always sharpless, with a god-like being observing us from the sky.
I selected fruits as another motif as their sugar content, colorful colors and shapes attract not only humans but also animals and insects.
The hand mark of the main visual "Formless SKY1" is a spell called "Fugen Enmeiho" that prolongs life. It's known as one of the rituals that enable immortality, which humans have long sought.By using the mark, I wanted to stimulate the long-held desire of humans and draw the viewer in the image.
Bright, colorful and sweet fruits are scattered in the fear and eerieness of a being who are invisible in the sky and have absolute power and make us aware of a being of a higher order than humans. I wanted to create a strange and unstable space that would lure you into a sweet trap.
Kazuma Yamamoto
Born in Tokyo, Japan, 1998.
2022 current BFA, Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, Oil Painting, Japan
Solo Exhibition
2022
“Banned Toys” Ritsuki Fujisaki Gallery, Tokyo
Group Exhibitiom
2022
“Vectored Goth” Ritsuki Fujisaki Gallery, Tokyo
“Buried in Affection” Galerie Supermarkt, Tokyo
“極薄 inframince” CON_GALLERY_TOKYO, Tokyo
2020
“WASANBON” Turner Gallery, Tokyo
“AS ABOVE SO BELOW” Yotsuya Mikakunin Studio, Tokyo
“A-TOM ART AWARD 2019” Courtyard Hiroo, Tokyo
Awards
A-TOM ART AWARD 2019 Shigeru Aoi Award
Public Collection
G Foundation Collection, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
