ShugoArts Show LEE Kit and Anju Michele
About Exhibition
ShugoArts is pleased to announce the opening of ShugoArts Show from January 14 featuring new works by Lee Kit and Anju Michele. Although these artists do not have direct connection with each other, the clear winter air seems to be appropriate to showcase their art practice in which delicate and beautiful lights are expressed.
Anju Michele, floating orchid, 2022, oil on aluminum paper mounted on panel, 123x99cm
Anju’s studio in Kyoto is located in a place surrounded by abundant nature. He lays down panels on tatami mats and creates works of art with the help of natural light coming from the yard, regardless of season or weather. There is silver paper attached to the panels, which can capture a small amount of light. His images come into existence one after another as the artist’s heart and body react to the movement of light, which keeps changing with each passing moment. In this exhibition, he introduces various forms that seem to float softly in the air.
Lee Kit, Undress the gaze, 2022, acrylic, emulsion paint, inkjet ink and pencil and color pencil on cardboard, 46x38cm
Hong Kong born Lee Kit’s situation has changed a lot as it synchronizes with the turbulent times that we all have experienced in the last few years. Daily life from the past cannot be realized in the present time. As Kit accepted these changes and moved forward, utilizing light, which drops shadow, reflects movements and reveals true forms of all kinds, has become an increasingly important element to his practice. In this exhibition, we will showcase three works of art including a projection-based work and a flower-themed work.
We hope you enjoy ShugoArts program again in 2023.
Information
LEE Kit, Anju Michele
Saturday, 14 January – Friday, 10 March, 2023
ShugoArts
12am ‒ 6pm, Closed on Sun, Mon and Public Holidays
Curated by Minako Ishii
Born in Hong Kong in 1978. Currently based in Taipei, Lee has taken part in residency programs all over the world, including the US, Europe and Asia. In his art practice, Lee utilizes various media such as projector light, videos, sounds, words and found objects, and his artworks represent the artist’s desire to continuously blaze a trail for new expressions of painting. Having been born and raised in Hong Kong, a city that has been susceptible to political turbulence, Lee has been conscious of the current socio-political climate. He incorporates intricate expressions to provide an opportunity for the viewers to reconsider their relationships with society and others, and the nature of his artwork is what makes his exhibition spaces site-specific, reflecting the ambience and emotions of each location.
Selected solo exhibitions: A blank stare like a gasp, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2023; Lovers on the Beach, West Den Haag, Den Haag, 2021-2022; (Screenshot), ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2020; Resonance of a sad smile, Art Sonje Center, Seoul, 2019; ‘We used to be more sensitive.’, Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, 2018; The Enormous Space, OCAT, Shenzhen, China, 2018; Not untitled, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2017; A small sound in your head, S.M.A.K, Ghent, 2016; Hold your breath, dance slowly, The Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis, USA, 2016; The voice behind me, Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, 2015; ʻYou (you).ʼ, the 55th Venice Biennale, 2013.
Born in 1989 in Venice, Italy, Anju Michele currently lives in Kyoto, Japan. Using silver and gold evaporated aluminum paper, a material used in Nishijin textiles, as a support, he creates paintings that embody the changing light. Expressed in light and organic forms that are difficult to describe, his practice “begins with the gesture,” showing us that there is a world that is different from the reality we usually see. And Anju’s body, which makes it difficult for him to hear outside sounds, fosters a rich sensory experience and reveals free and fearless brushwork.
Selected exhibitions: Circular Skies, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2024; Imaginarium, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2020; VOCA The Vision of Contemporary Art 2020, The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo, 2020; Yokohama Triennale, Yokohama Museum of Art , Kanagawa, 2014; About Freedom, TRAUMARIS, Tokyo, 2011; Kagemi of love, HIGURE 17-15cas, Tokyo, 2009; Infanzia, Cube gallery, Venice, 2005