Fair highlightsi nclude Tang Contemporary’s (Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Bangkok) presentation of bronze sculptures by renowned Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, who is famous for his conceptual artworks that challenge authority and explore the links between the contemporary world and traditional Chinese culture.
Elsewhere, SPURS Gallery (Beijing) will curate a group exhibition featuring six artists including Anselm Reyle, one of Germany’s leading contemporary artists who is well known for his large-scale, ultra-refined abstract paintings, sculptures and elaborate installations with neon elements.
Meanwhile, Each Modern (Taipei) will present a group show titled Writings as the Universe, featuring works that are layered, dynamic, complex, and constantly evolving.
Hana ‘Flower’
20 galleries will showcase either a solo or a dual presentation of artists at an early or mid-stage in their career. Highlights include Alison Jacques’ (London) solo stand of new work created for Tokyo Gendai 2024 by British artist Sophie Barber, whose work explores symbols significant to Japan, while simultaneously referencing Western art historical chronologies.
Misako & Rosen (Tokyo) and The Green Gallery (Wisconsin) will share a booth, featuring work by Trevor Shimizu whose paintings explore self-representation. ANOMALY’s (Tokyo) theme of More Than Human will present the works of two Japanese artists, Yusuke Asai and Keisuke Tanaka, who both explore the relationship between life and nature from their distinct perspectives and point out the feasibility of coexistence with other species.
Asai uses earth collected in various places as paints, while Tanaka creates works with sawn lumber. Elsewhere, Retro Africa (Abuja) will feature work by Nigerian artist Yusuff Aina, whose pieces invite viewers to navigate the intricacies of vulnerability, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth.
Eda ‘Branch’
Eda is a sector of the fair dedicated to solo or multiple artist presentations by established or historically significant figures in Asia.
This year, the sector will feature nine galleries including PYO Gallery (Seoul) who will present works by Kim Tschang-yeul, the late South Korean artist known for his abstract paintings of water droplets that depict longing for his homeland.
VETAbyFer Francés (Madrid) will present bold paintings by Manuel Ocampo; the contemporary Filipino artist combines references to colonial iconography, Judeo-Christian tradition, folk art, Spanish Catholicism, Manila’s underground culture, cartoons and graffiti to revisit the history of art in a provocative way.
The 2024 edition of Tokyo Gendai will also include four curated programmes: an arts talk programme titled Art Talk; an exhibition titled Tsubomi ‘Flower Bud’, which will showcase works relating to a current social issue; Sato ‘Meadow’, featuring large-scale, tailored installations spotlighting new themes in contemporary art around the fair; and Ne ‘Root’, presenting several leading local foundations hosting special showcases of their work.
