Eimei Kaneyama

Whistle is pleased to present Future Days, a solo exhibition by Eimei Kaneyama. Presenting nine abstract paintings, Kaneyama's canvases stand as a testament to the spontaneous choreography of colors and the intricate interplay of pigments, evoking a reminiscence of the inherent hues found in abstract painting. Beneath the surface of these abstract impressions lie on what he refers to as "records of each day." Memories stemming from everyday landscapes, events, newspaper clippings, and more contribute to shaping these visual echoes.

Whistle has been presenting Kaneyama’s work since its establishment in 2017, and this marks his third solo exhibition at the space. Being a third-generation Zainichi Korean, the artist has been based in Seoul for the past ten years following the completion of his studies in the United States.

Kaneyama has been an instrumental figure in the art scene for the past decade, captivating attention with his innovative approach to abstraction. His artistic journey, characterized by bold shapes and captivating contrasts, has deepened and expanded in scope. Liberating himself from previous explorations of color and form, Kaneyama's creativity defies traditional boundaries, offering a unique artistic narrative.

Throughout his artistic evolution, Kaneyama has constantly pursued a path of dismantling the physical confines inherent in the art of painting. While transcribed onto squares and rectangles of canvas and paper, his imagery transcends these conventional confines. His frames come alive with expressive gestures that stretch beyond the edges, illustrating his dynamic engagement with spatial dimensions. The exhibition showcases canvases textured with raw authenticity, mirroring his abstract principles and the conceptual dialogues interwoven within his studio.

Reflecting on the Future Days exhibition, Kaneyama unveils that these recorded images encapsulate the essence of forward momentum. They symbolize the undeniable fact that our lives are in a perpetual state of motion toward the future, continually transcending the limitations of the past.

Eimei Kaneyama (b. 1981) studied Fine Art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and currently lives and works in Seoul. He has held solo exhibitions Water Sea Road, Whistle, Seoul (2020); Black, Red, White, Art Major, Seoul (2019); Otto, Whistle, Seoul (2017), and Diditagain, alter.ego, Seoul (2017); and has participated in group exhibitions at Atelier Aki, One and J. Gallery, Common Center, Salon de H, among others. Kaneyama has collaborated with photographer Suguru Ryuzaki in publishing projects Hand / Tinted Post X (2019) and 二十 三 (2017).