Kishio Suga | Expanded Self-Space

Kishio Suga is a central member of the art movement Mono-ha that took place from the late 1960s to the 1970s, and has continued to develop his own distinct practice as one of the leading figures in Postwar Japanese art. Suga engages in various approaches concerning the relationships between “things” such as stones, trees, metals, and that of space, based on his unique philosophy that resonates with Eastern thoughts like Indian philosophy. In doing so, he produces works that are themselves manifestations of the profound presence harbored within “things.” Even in recent years when the revaluation of Mono-ha has been gaining much international recognition, Suga persists in further deepening his contemplation, with his unfaltering passion and enthusiasm for his practice serving to define the presentness of his work.

The exhibition Expanded Self Space marks Kisho Suga’s seventh exhibition at Tomio Koyama Gallery since his previous solo exhibition Divided Orientation of Space held in 2017, and features a selection of approximately 20 latest works. In addition, the exhibition Kishio Suga – Photographs and Videos” (May 30 – June 25, 2018) will be held concurrently at 8/ ART GALLERY / Tomio Koyama Gallery, introducing photographs and video works as well as documentary footage regarding his ongoing investigation of the “activation of existence.” A screening of the film Being and Murder (1988-99) directed and written by Suga will also take place, with his metal sculpture scheduled for presentation in the solo exhibition Released Existence on Edges (May 12 – July 4, 2018) at “The Club” art gallery in GINZA SIX.

Suga enables “things” and “things,” “things” and “space,” and “things” and “people” to connect, enclose and be interdependent on each other in different ways from how we usually perceive things to be in existence, thereby giving the impression of things as presenting new forms and even situations. Suga attempts to reveal the fundamental conditions and manner in which our world exists through a multifaceted approach that appropriates various means from three-dimensional works to two-dimensional works, photographs, and video to express that which we are “unable to see.” These series of exhibitions will serve as an invaluable opportunity to comprehensively encounter and experience the world of Suga’s work.