Shigeo Toya
24 May - 21 Jun 2008
SHIGEO TOYA
"minimalbaroque III"
SHUGOARTS is pleased to present "minimalbaroque III," a solo exhibition by sculptor Shigeo Toya.
Combining the simplicity of Minimalism with the gaudy decorativeness of Baroque art, Toya's work from the last few years has been based on a tense duality that he terms "minimalbaroque." At the same time, this exhibition will see Toya present new work in his well-known "Woods" series. The gallery will be filled with Woods IX along with sketches used in its production.
At some point after September 11, I read somewhere a passage by Susan Sontag that said, "But let's not be stupid together." I thought it captured the danger of people in the United States oscillating between a moral and an emotional reaction. Confronted with what you might call their society's tendency towards Baroque-ism, I coined the term "minimalbaroque." At the same time it occurred to me that my "Woods" series I to VIII were in fact all classic examples of "minimalbaroque." For that reason I think I am now able to start making the "Woods" sculptures again, this time as examples of "minimalbaroque."
Shigeo Toya
In the past Toya discovered elements of "Baroque" - of the exuberantly decorative - in the knotted, complex structures of gnarled trees and forests. Taking those elements as hints, he started working on what became known as his "Woods" series in 1986. Using a chain saw to gouge fossil-like shapes into large blocks of wood, the series redefined the concept of sculpture from an Eastern standpoint. Still, it ended abruptly after eight large installation-style presentations. Setting out in search of a more moralistic and ordered form of expression - in reaction to the excessive hedonism of his work thus far - Toya established the concept of "minimalbaroque." It wasn't long, however, before he discovered in his new schemas the same "woods" of his earlier days. This exhibition is the first in which Toya's well-known "Woods" sculptures will be presented as "minimalbaroque." For that reason it provides the best clue as to where his work will progress in the future.
Toya was born in 1947 in Nagano Prefecture. He graduated from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music in 1975. He participated in the 43rd Venice Biennale in 1988, in the 3rd Gwangju Biennale in 2000 and held solo exhibitions at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art in 1995 and at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in 2003. In 2003 he also received the prestigious Art Encouragement Prize from the national government's Agency for Cultural Affairs. In this exhibition Toya revisits the "Woods" sculptures with which he became famous. Seen in the new context of "minimalbaroque" they take on even greater significance. Be sure not to miss them.
"minimalbaroque III"
SHUGOARTS is pleased to present "minimalbaroque III," a solo exhibition by sculptor Shigeo Toya.
Combining the simplicity of Minimalism with the gaudy decorativeness of Baroque art, Toya's work from the last few years has been based on a tense duality that he terms "minimalbaroque." At the same time, this exhibition will see Toya present new work in his well-known "Woods" series. The gallery will be filled with Woods IX along with sketches used in its production.
At some point after September 11, I read somewhere a passage by Susan Sontag that said, "But let's not be stupid together." I thought it captured the danger of people in the United States oscillating between a moral and an emotional reaction. Confronted with what you might call their society's tendency towards Baroque-ism, I coined the term "minimalbaroque." At the same time it occurred to me that my "Woods" series I to VIII were in fact all classic examples of "minimalbaroque." For that reason I think I am now able to start making the "Woods" sculptures again, this time as examples of "minimalbaroque."
Shigeo Toya
In the past Toya discovered elements of "Baroque" - of the exuberantly decorative - in the knotted, complex structures of gnarled trees and forests. Taking those elements as hints, he started working on what became known as his "Woods" series in 1986. Using a chain saw to gouge fossil-like shapes into large blocks of wood, the series redefined the concept of sculpture from an Eastern standpoint. Still, it ended abruptly after eight large installation-style presentations. Setting out in search of a more moralistic and ordered form of expression - in reaction to the excessive hedonism of his work thus far - Toya established the concept of "minimalbaroque." It wasn't long, however, before he discovered in his new schemas the same "woods" of his earlier days. This exhibition is the first in which Toya's well-known "Woods" sculptures will be presented as "minimalbaroque." For that reason it provides the best clue as to where his work will progress in the future.
Toya was born in 1947 in Nagano Prefecture. He graduated from the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music in 1975. He participated in the 43rd Venice Biennale in 1988, in the 3rd Gwangju Biennale in 2000 and held solo exhibitions at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art in 1995 and at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in 2003. In 2003 he also received the prestigious Art Encouragement Prize from the national government's Agency for Cultural Affairs. In this exhibition Toya revisits the "Woods" sculptures with which he became famous. Seen in the new context of "minimalbaroque" they take on even greater significance. Be sure not to miss them.