√K Contemporary Launches Major Kiyoshi Hamada Exhibition "Strata of Memory -Light and Shadow-"

SHINJUKU-KU, Japan - Aug. 26, 2020 - PRLog -- √K Contemporary ("Root K Contemporary", Tokyo) is proud to present Kiyoshi Hamada's 3rd major solo exhibition, "Strata of Memory -Light and Shadow-" from Sept 19 (Sat) to Oct 24 (Sat), 2020.

Following his solo exhibitions at Kashima Arts (Tokyo, 2016) and Nerima Art Museum (Tokyo, 2015), Kiyoshi Hamada has since participated in international art fairs, receiving much global acclaim. This exhibition will present approximately 30 works, with a diverse selection of large to small scaled works, from the 1980's to the present.

Beginning in the 70s as an award-winning woodblock print artist, Hamada's works were sought and acquired by various domestic and international museums early during his career. In the 80's, Hamada searched for new forms of expression and introduced his series, Drawing: paper works with large, black, hand-drawn surfaces, amassed from innumerous, single pencil lines. However, in discovering a different, independent mode of production, he discontinued his Drawing series, and pursued a process of "shaving, carving and layering." In this exhibition, Hamada revisits Drawing for the first time in 40 years and introduces a new work that exceeds 3m in length.

This exhibition will also debut Hamada's first-ever series of semi-sculptural works. Contrasting his previous, 2D works, this series presents mono-colored works of woodblocks on plywood. Giving light and shadow to an otherwise monochrome surface, this series, like much of Hamada's oeuvre, is subtle, subjective and intimate.

Always evolving, Hamada never ceased art production and, with constant self-reflection, challenges himself to find new ways to create while also producing works that are, in many ways, temporally accumulated, sublimated indexes of his very own movements. Now past 80 years old, Hamada will present the new forms of expressions, techniques and values he has developed over his career.

Event Highlights:

Artist Talk featuring the artist, Kiyoshi Hamada, and Yuji Akimoto (Director of The University Art Museum - Tokyo University of the Arts, and the Nerima Art Museum) and Ren Fukuzumi (Art Critic).

Catalog of exhibited works and an accompanying essay will be available for purchase.

Kiyoshi Hamada, "Strata of Memory - Light and Shadow -" (Japanese: "Kioku no Chiso -Hikari to Kage-")
Preview: Sept 18 (Fri) 3pm to 7pm
Dates: Sept 19 (Sat) – Oct 24 (Sat), 2020
Venue: √K Contemporary (6 Minamicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Tel: +81 (0)3-6280-8808
Email: info@root-k.jp
URL: http://www.root-k.jp
Works: Approx 30pcs, from the Drawing series of the 1980s to the present.
Exhibition URL: https://root-k.jp/exhibitions/strata_of_memory_hamada_kiyoshi/
＊Depending on the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak, event details are subject to change. We hope for your understanding and ask for your cooperation.