British painter Christian Hidaka will present his solo exhibition "Scène Dorée (Golden Age)" at The Gallery Baton in Hannam-dong, from November 23 to December 23, 2023. This marks Hidaka's first individual showcase in Asia since his joint exhibition at Le Forum Hermes in Tokyo in 2022. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness Hidaka's recent works and murals, which he spent several weeks creating.
Hidaka's artistry is characterized by his use of oil tempera in crafting scenes that blend ambiguous temporal and spatial elements with exotic figures. His style, a creative amalgamation of his background and extensive Western painting influences, is displayed in meticulously constructed murals. His latest exhibition, "Scène Dorée," features a collection of characters dressed in timeless attire, centered on the canvas and engaged in activities reminiscent of theatrical stills. The symmetrical composition of the paintings, with characters positioned as if in a staged setting, is further enhanced by an art deco-style backdrop, which gains depth through Hidaka's precise use of light and shadow.
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| ▲ Christian Hidaka, Scène Dorée (2023), Courtesy of Gallery Baton. |
A key element in Hidaka's work is chiaroscuro, lending realism to the mysterious beings in his paintings. This technique, along with the concept of "Eurasian," forms a significant part of his worldview. Hidaka's work reflects his acknowledgment of cultural hybridity, a blend of Eastern and Western, European and African elements, as ancient as human trade itself. His 'Eurasian Mode' is notable not only for its thematic content but also for its formal qualities, combining oriental reverse perspective with traditional light and shade methods to create a sense of space.
The titular piece, "Scène Dorée" (2023), features a girl standing with a man presumed to be her father, and a clown looking at a woman in colorful attire climbing a ladder. Inspired by Pablo Picasso's "Family of Saltimbanques" (1905), this work echoes the composition of Picasso's early masterpiece, infusing it with modern symbolism. The artwork reflects on the emergence of Cubism, its African art influences, and the multiculturalism of the 1990s.
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| ▲ TWO PLAYERS, 2023, Courtesy of Gallery Baton. |
Notably, the sun sculpted above the woman's head in the painting represents a critique of the current discourse surrounding the medium of painting. It symbolizes the need for innovative progress in understanding art pre- and post-Cubism. Hidaka's murals, integral to his exhibition, serve as a semantic field, connecting individual paintings and immersing visitors in a hybrid, Eurasian mode. These murals, varying in composition and color, extend beyond linear appreciation, allowing for an immersive experience of the space Hidaka has staged.
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| ▲ D’ORO, (2023), Courtesy of Gallery Baton. |
Christian Hidaka, based in London, has an impressive exhibition history. His solo shows include those at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Koffler Center of the Arts in Toronto, CAC La Synagogue de Delme, Le Forum Hermes in Tokyo, and others. His works are housed in prestigious institutions worldwide, including The Israel Museum, The Saatchi Gallery in the UK, and The Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation in the United States.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
