▲ Circles drawn complete, returning to their starting point, curves end their progression. Birds bathed in the sunset fold their wings, and humans lose their words. The sun, having lit the earth, disappears, yet the sun itself remains unchanged in place. One plate shows cherries, another figs, and yet another grapes. When light strikes the fig plate, something twinkles like stars. The world must exist! The trees whisper in a language all understand. Nights spent plagued by doubt. Mornings where questions are answered. Even with his senses lost, the world exists around him: the vase, the red glass water pitcher (the morning light reflecting in smooth curves on the white window frame), and the world that lies beyond them., 2023, acrylic on canvas, 182 × 261 × 6.5cm, © Kenjiro Okazaki, Courtesy of the artist Photo by SHU NAKAGAWA​

Seoul—Pace Gallery is set to unveil "Form at Now and Later 形而の而今而後," an exhibition by Kenjiro Okazaki, from June 28 to August 17, 2024. This exhibition will feature new and recent works by the esteemed Japanese artist, marking his first solo show in Korea.

He is known for his diverse artistic practice that spans painting, sculpture, performance, architecture, landscape design, and robotics. His work often explores the complex interactions between time, space, and human perception, employing a language of abstraction to probe these themes deeply.

The exhibition will showcase the artist’s investigations into the continuum of time and space, illustrating how these dimensions can be reinterpreted through cognitive experiences. His works often incorporate art historical and philosophical references, examining how history, memory, and form collapse into the present moment.

▲ Spiritualization In The Air / 玉龍雪山 / The Eight Diagrams Are Free Of Danger, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 20.5 × 16.5 × 2.9cm, © Kenjiro Okazaki, Courtesy of the artist

Among the highlights of "Form at Now and Later 形而の而今而後" are small-scale paintings from his "Zero Thumbnails" series. These works, rooted in his 1990s experiments with diptych compositions, feature abstractions that transcend their compact picture planes, with color and form extending into the exhibition space as autonomous entities.

The exhibition will also include 16 large-scale paintings created by the artist in 2023 and 2024. These acrylic compositions, characterized by interconnected brushstrokes across multiple panels, create a dynamic visual experience that resists a singular interpretation. The intricate titles of these paintings serve as poetic entry points into the canvas, enriching the viewer's engagement.

Additionally, the exhibition will feature his mixed media wall relief "3:15" (1983–93), the oldest work on display, and a series of new synthetic marble sculptures. These sculptures, composed of soil and various other materials, mimic the Earth's formation through collisions and accumulations, challenging the boundaries of human perception.

▲ 3:15, 1983-1993, acrylic, pigment, polypropylene, paper, other, 27 × 17 × 17cm © Kenjiro Okazaki, Courtesy of the artist

Born in Tokyo in 1955, the artist has built a prolific career as an artist, architect, and theorist. His work, influenced by postmodernist perspectives, delves into the perception and reconstruction of time and space. His multifaceted practice aligns him with notable artists such as Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Paul Klee, and John Cage.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, he is a respected critic and author. His contributions to the discourse on abstraction include books like "Renaissance: Condition of Experience" and "Abstract Art as Impact: The Concrete Genealogy of Abstract Art." His critical work earned him the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts in 2019. 

Pace Gallery, a prominent international art gallery, represents influential contemporary artists and estates. Founded in 1960 by Arne Glimcher, the gallery has a legacy of supporting artists and presenting groundbreaking exhibitions. Under the leadership of CEO Marc Glimcher, Pace continues to innovate and share visionary works with a global audience.
 

▲ The portrait of the artist ⓒ Pace GalleryWith seven locations worldwide, including spaces in New York, London, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Seoul, Pace Gallery remains at the forefront of the art world. In spring 2024, the gallery will expand further with the opening of its first space in Tokyo's new Azabudai Hills development.

"Form at Now and Later 形而の而今而後" at Pace Gallery Seoul promises to offer a profound exploration of the artist’s philosophical approach to form and abstraction, providing viewers with a unique opportunity to engage with his intricate and thought-provoking works.

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com