Japanese artist Atsushi Suwa's exhibition "Solaris" is inspired by a novel of the same title by Polish writer Stanislaw Lem, which was published in 1961 and was adapted for screen in 1968, 1972 and 2002.
A distant planet called "Solaris" extracts psychologist Kelvin's repressed memories of his lover Harey to simulate a human - form "visitor" which looks exactly like her. Harey died 10 years ago from triggered suicide by a quarrel with Kelvin, for which Kelvin regrets deeply. The appearance of "Harey" makes Kelvin happy, yet pained, therefore "Harey" elects to destroy "herself". Before "she" leaves, "she" says to Kelvin, "The person you loved before is not me… I want you to know that I am not that person…"
Applying the metaphor from this story, Atsushi Suwa explores, through the 13 pieces of the latest oil paintings, an important subject in aesthetics: how do we recognize and interpret the image of an object, by reference to our inner state of mind, or by reference to the appearance of the image? What is the relationship between these two factors and which one of them is playing the governing role over the other?
Atsushi Suwa is known for his extremely detailed super-realistic paintings. Born in 1967 in Hokkaido, Japan, he is currently a Professor of the Department of Painting at Musashino Art University. He received his MFA from Musashino Art University. In 1994, on recommendation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, he went to Spain for further art study for two years. In 1995, he received the First Class Award at the 5th International Painting Competition organized by the Barceló Foundation, Spain. He was the first Asian artist to receive this award.
His works are widely exhibited and collected by important museums and institutions such as the Barceló Foundation, Spain; Benetton Collection, Italy; Thomas Koerfer Collection, Zurich, Switzerland; Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, Yokohama Museum of Art, The Sato Museum of Art , Suwa City Museum of Art, Japan etc.
Solaris - Solo Exhibition of Atsushi Suwa
Exhibition period
1 June - 6 July 2019
Location
Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery, G/F, 20 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong
