SOM GALLERY is delighted to announce "TAO”, a group exhibition focused on protrait works on view from March 20 to April 13. This exhibition aims to reconsider the traditional and classical theme of portraiture from a contemporary perspective, exploring its historical significance and evolving social roles while critically reassessing the possibilities of human representation in contemporary art.
The exhibition features works by Aldo van den Broek, Kota Sasai, Ryota Watanabe.

Portraiture has evolved beyond merely replicating appearances, serving as a medium to symbolically depict an individual's social background and mind. Classical portraiture often functioned as a means to visualize authority and religious ideals, sometimes rejecting pure realism in favor of extreme beautification to emphasize the dignity and sanctity of royalty and nobility. However, with the rise of Impressionism in the 19th century and Expressionism in the 20th century, artistic representation gradually shifted toward the visualization of inner emotions and spirituality, evolving into an expression that emphasizes individual subjective perspectives.

This exhibition, while acknowledging these historical transitions, introduces artists who engage with human representation in contemporary art. In the present day, portraiture is no longer confined to merely "depicting a person"; rather, it has expanded as a visual language through the exploration of multilayered meanings and the presentation of social issues.
For example, van den Broek explores the universal theme of "destruction and regeneration" through works created from cardboard, wood, metal, and reclaimed materials. By layering the memories embedded in these materials, his works present a new perspective—one that discovers beauty in what remains after decay. Watanabe creates oil paintings based on digitally generated anonymous figures, employing a unique technique that involves cutting and applying paint using a self-made knife. Through this process, he simultaneously expresses "destruction and construction," connecting contingency with deliberate lines and forms. This physical act symbolically captures the ambiguous and shifting existence of modern individuals, revealing a new kind of "portrait" where artificiality and humanity intersect. Sasai selects motifs from everyday life, including himself, to depict the intersection between his inner self and society. His works carefully trace the trajectory of art history while employing emotionally charged and texturally rich expressions to reconsider the complexities of social connections. The figures he portrays possess a sense of instability yet maintain a strong presence, powerfully engaging viewers as a compelling visual experience.

This exhibition seeks to reconsider the historical and social roles that portraiture has played while critically exploring the possibilities of human representation in contemporary art. By examining the timeless appeal of portraiture across eras, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of "depicting the human figure" from a modern perspective. Going beyond mere realism or formal reproduction, the exhibition aims to present a vision of portraiture today—one that is shaped through conceptual and dialogic approaches, serving as a point of interpretation for its current state.