Ryo Matsuoka:
Growing at Leisure
2021  11.26 — 12.26

Overview

Ryo Matsuoka is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice includes painting, embroidery and installations, to create works that express the abstract images that reside in his mind. In recent years, his work has attracted attention from a wide range of domestic and international audiences, including a collaboration with renowned fashion brand ‘Yohji Yamamoto’ and exhibitions at ‘Joyce Hong Kong’ and L'ECLAIREUR Paris. He also recently provided the cover artwork for American poet Paul Aster’ s complete collection of poetry. He has also been selected to decorate the Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji store, due to open in February 2020. With many more active projects in the future, Matsuoka is a Japanese artist whose prominence is set to rise.
 
For Matsuoka, drawing and creating artworks has been a straightforward and constant part of his daily life since adolescence. Matsuoka’ s works are an encapsulation of the artist’ s character, reflecting parts of his own life experiences and capturing the feeling of a moment and demonstrating the strength of pure expression. There is a beautiful richness to his colour palette, as well as a sense of physicality, rhythm and breathing, that in our post-historical modern age, reminds us of the joy that can found in art.
 
This exhibition is Matsuoka's largest solo show to date and will present all new artworks, including a 15 metre wall of various embroidery works, large and small canvases and wood panel paintings. With various layers of colour that envelop the space, the exhibition will create an abstract world that will change the viewer's impression with each visit, providing a gentle approach to abstraction that is accessible to all.
 
“Water, light and nourishment. The sky we need is. Just like you, the sky.” A says.
Next to them, “playground, outside outside, in the park. Someone knows the sky that no one knows.” B says.
Then “Nothing. Anything.” Says C.
Growing at leisure.
 
– Ryo Matsuoka
 
Though at first glance, abstract art may seem difficult to understand, one of the charms is the ability enjoy the work simply as you see it and comment on ‘the beautiful colors’ , or ‘the unique composition,’ or ‘the interesting touch of the artist’ , for example. For more than 30 years, the act of painting has been akin to breathing for Matsuoka. This unique philosophy and approach to working is something rare in this day and age, and we hope that you will take the opportunity to appreciate his works as your senses dictate.

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