Monochrome Colors by Hiro Sugiyama
3D Virtual Exhibition Tour

Speedy Gallery
2525 Michigan Avenue, B5B, Santa Monica, CA 90404

'Monochrome Colors by Hiro Sugiyama' is an exploration of the intersection between representation and abstraction, an exploration of the thresholds of our perception. This unique series, filled with works painted solely in black, meditates on the question: when does the human brain categorize a painting as abstract?

Drawing inspiration from existing artworks, Sugiyama masterfully transforms these pieces into stark, black silhouettes, simplifying them to their bare essence. He carries out a bold experiment, pushing the boundaries of abstraction even further. Through these monochrome renditions, he invokes the shadow of Picasso’s and Van Gogh’s works, encouraging the viewers’ minds to fill in the missing colors and construct an image from memory.

In the late 1990s, Sugiyama began working with silhouettes, steadily reducing the details within the shapes. However, this current series, commenced in 2020, embarks on a voyage to retrieve the artwork from the depths of abstraction. Sugiyama does not recolor the blackened areas; instead, he crafts the original image with meticulously raised relief through the thickness and texture of black paint. This relief creates an interplay of light and shadow that breathes life into the canvas, encouraging the viewer's mind to discern the unseen colors. As a result, the journey from abstraction segues back into representation.

Sugiyama's art is a thrilling dance, oscillating between representation and abstraction, and a testament to his ever-evolving artistic process.

About the Artist

Hiro Sugiyama first gained prominence in 1997 when he founded the ‘Enlightenment’ group in the nascent days of the Internet, pioneering the domain of digital art. Sugiyama's digitally-rendered portraits, including those of Brad Pitt, Thom Yorke of Radiohead, and Karl Lagerfeld, captured the attention of New York art impresario Jeffrey Deitch. Unfortunately, the 9/11 attacks led to the cancellation of his much-anticipated solo exhibition, 'Deitch Project NY'.

Sugiyama further showcased his digital prowess in the 2001 Takashi Murakami-curated exhibition “Superflat” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, unveiling impressive digital portraits of Ayrton Senna and Karen Carpenter. These works were later featured in a worldwide tour, making stops in cities like London, the Bronx, and Shanghai.

In the 2010s, Sugiyama returned to analog painting, focusing on a different mode of artistic expression. This return culminated in 2020 with the publication of his comprehensive art book "Drawing Leads to Another Dimension," comprising over 1,600 pieces.

Presently, Sugiyama's 'Black Paint Series' enjoys considerable acclaim throughout Asia and is now making its U.S. debut at the Speedy Gallery. Visitors are invited to engage with his captivating monochrome creations, each imbued with the narrative of Sugiyama's limitless creativity and artistic evolution.

Find out more: speedyartgallery.com
From 3rd June 2023 to 8th July 2023

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