Shozo Shimamoto: A Serious Bluffer

Whitestone Gallery is proud to present the first solo exhibition of Shozo Shimamoto `A Serious Bluffer`in Hong Kong, starting from 15th September to 17th October.

In 1956, Shimamoto used acetylene gas to blast paint out from four-meter-long `cannon` to the surface of a large sheet of vinyl. Instantly, the discharged paint from the explosion flew over the surface of the vinyl and created the physical traces of color and material. This later developed into the method of throwing bottles filled with paint on a canvas placed on the floor, leaving traces of fragmented pieces of glass and pigment. 

The artist`s bodily engagement with creation process, and celebration of individuality continued even more vigorously after the disbandment of Gutai Art Association in 1972. Shimamoto challenged the scale and method of art making with his innovative performances all around the world; global scale mail art, use of a helicopter and a Balloon for `bottle crash` pieces, and unconventional ways of employing music, movie, and dance for performances. Throughout his long artist career, Shimamoto practiced eccentric ideas and fiery performances relentlessly. 

This solo exhibition will be highlighting the artist`s colorful character and his physical engagement with creation by displaying paintings mostly from the artist`s performances between 2009 to 2011, including rare pieces from Shimamoto`s ambitious 100 year project `Heiwa no Akashi`(A proof of peace) which was initiated when the artist first met the American nuclear physicist Bern Porter in 1986, and realized as a performance at the monumental site in Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor every year since the year 2000. Many of works have never been showcased before and it is the great pleasure of the gallery to bring fresh works of the artist for his very first solo show in Hong Kong. 

Whitestone Gallery is proud to present the first solo exhibition of Shozo Shimamoto `A Serious Bluffer`in Hong Kong, starting from 15th September to 17th October.

In 1956, Shimamoto used acetylene gas to blast paint out from four-meter-long `cannon` to the surface of a large sheet of vinyl. Instantly, the discharged paint from the explosion flew over the surface of the vinyl and created the physical traces of color and material. This later developed into the method of throwing bottles filled with paint on a canvas placed on the floor, leaving traces of fragmented pieces of glass and pigment. 

The artist`s bodily engagement with creation process, and celebration of individuality continued even more vigorously after the disbandment of Gutai Art Association in 1972. Shimamoto challenged the scale and method of art making with his innovative performances all around the world; global scale mail art, use of a helicopter and a Balloon for `bottle crash` pieces, and unconventional ways of employing music, movie, and dance for performances. Throughout his long artist career, Shimamoto practiced eccentric ideas and fiery performances relentlessly. 

This solo exhibition will be highlighting the artist`s colorful character and his physical engagement with creation by displaying paintings mostly from the artist`s performances between 2009 to 2011, including rare pieces from Shimamoto`s ambitious 100 year project `Heiwa no Akashi`(A proof of peace) which was initiated when the artist first met the American nuclear physicist Bern Porter in 1986, and realized as a performance at the monumental site in Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor every year since the year 2000. Many of works have never been showcased before and it is the great pleasure of the gallery to bring fresh works of the artist for his very first solo show in Hong Kong.