Press Release

Tomoko Yoneda’s works are always deeply connected with historicity and the memory of a place, exemplified in the series titled Between Visible and Invisible in which she looks into the inner workings of people who were tossed about by the turbulence of the 20th century, or in Scene, capturing traces of events that once occurred in specific locations. It has not been mentioned, however, that the basis of her creation is a sincere appreciation of life, all life forms including humans, and a fervent wish for peace. In this exhibition, Yoneda focuses on the ephemeral yet majestic existence of the natural world, while showcasing works that suggest, “we are all small beings in a great, uncontrollable unity.”

The Crystals series (2013 to 2023) has been shot in freezing cold Finland. These tiny ice crystals disappear with the slightest change in the environment, but they also remind us of the cycle of nature in which they repeatedly reappear on the ground. The exhibition will unveil 24 works for the first time, including Crystals, Siberia I・II (1998/2023), photographed during a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Additionally the Aurora series taken in the village of Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, and a work of soap bubbles, a theme taken from historic symbolism of 17th century painting and philosophy referring to ‘vanitas vanitatum’ – the fragility and transience of human life.

Yoneda, who has continued to photograph various people’s memories and traces of history, has always maintained an eye for life through nature. Please look forward to the charm of Yoneda’s work, which deviates from her usual practice.

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Installation Views

Selected Works

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About the Artist

Born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1965. Lives and works in London. In 1991, she received MA in Photography from Royal College of Art in London. Yoneda continues making works projecting the memories and history associated with places and things.

View Artist Profile Tomoko Yoneda contemporary artist
About the Gallery

ShugoArts, established by Shugo Satani in 2000, values its locality, selects its artists regardless of their time and place, and sends out its activities from Tokyo.

Today, it has gotten much easier to appreciate various artworks of all times and places and their meanings, as well as spaces exhibiting artworks, need to be redefined, including contemporary art galleries. ShugoArts prioritises how to realise artists’ own growth as artists or make the most of their accomplishments. In order to nurture their abilities and possibilities, we provide our space for artists to express themselves freely and follow their artistic journeys side by side. Under any circumstances, our mission is to work and grow together with artists who ceaselessly create artworks, which shine a light on life and give it validation.

ShugoArts holds about 7 exhibitions a year and participates in national and international art fairs while simultaneously managing commissions for public spaces and organising performance and talk events. In addition, we also would like to be a part of art histories at large by creating invaluable archives and assisting art institutions.

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Address
Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24
Roppongi Minato-ku
Tokyo
Japan
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Saturday
12pm – 6pm
(1)
Tokyo Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24, Roppongi Minato-ku
ShugoArts
Complex 665 2F, 6-5-24, Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
+81 364 472 234
http://www.shugoarts.com

Opening hours
Tuesday – Saturday
12pm – 6pm
The art world in focus