König Galerie Seoul presents a mesmerizing solo exhibition, Mountains of Nameless Emotions, by acclaimed Japanese artist Ayako Rokkaku, running from December 14, 2024, to January 25, 2025. The exhibition offers an evocative exploration of emotions through a central immersive installation, alongside sculptures, a quadriptych, and six additional paintings, creating a deeply introspective visual experience.

At the heart of the exhibition is a monumental mountain structure, intricately crafted from hand-cut fabrics and wool, forming a tactile and organic landscape. A large creature-like figure perched atop the mountain gazes down at smaller imaginary beings inhabiting its slopes, symbolizing cycles of life and protection. For Rokkaku, this mountain is more than a structure; it is a physical manifestation of intense, unnamed emotions. Reflecting on her creative process, she states, “The foundation of my work is rooted in an emotional fluctuation or accumulation, yet I find it impossible to name these feelings.”

Surrounding this central piece are Rokkaku’s paintings, which delve further into these unspoken emotions. Featuring spectral figures and ambiguous shapes, her works center on a symbolic girl who blends seamlessly into the abstract landscapes. This recurring figure serves as a metaphor for the artist’s emotional journeys, capturing a visual narrative of internal experiences and self-discovery.

The idea for Mountains of Nameless Emotions originated during Rokkaku’s residency in Mallorca, where the surrounding mountains inspired her vision. Bringing this concept to König Galerie Seoul, nestled near Namsan, the artist creates a dialogue between Seoul’s natural landscapes and the emotional terrains depicted in her works. The organic forms of her layered fabrics and abstract shapes mirror the undulating hills, forming a bridge between the external world and internal reflection.

Rokkaku’s artistic technique is as unique as her subject matter. Using her bare hands to apply acrylic paint, she embraces a performative, instinctive process. Her works embody the whimsy of Japanese kawaii culture and the imaginative wonder of childhood, blending figurative and abstract elements. Beyond paintings, Rokkaku has extended her artistic repertoire to include ceramics, bronze, and glass sculptures, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to expanding her creative horizons.

Her oeuvre has been celebrated in major exhibitions, including at The Long Museum in Shanghai (2023) and the Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan (2020). She has also exhibited at the Venice Biennale’s Swatch Art Pavilion (2015). She holds a place in the collections of renowned institutions such as the Gunma Museum of Art in Japan and the Voorlinden Museum in the Netherlands.

This exhibition is not merely a showcase of art but an invitation to introspection. Rokkaku hopes viewers will see fragments of their own unspoken emotions reflected in her works, finding resonance and solace in the universality of these feelings. The interactive nature of her practice, including live painting performances, fosters an intimate connection between artist and audience, bridging the gap between creation and experience.

Mountains of Nameless Emotions marks an unmissable opportunity for art lovers to immerse themselves in the boundless creativity and emotional depth of Ayako Rokkaku. For details, visit König Galerie Seoul’s official website or contact the gallery directly.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com