(25 March 2024, Hong Kong) Whitestone Gallery is delighted to present Ruins, a solo exhibition by esteemed Japanese artist Aruta Soup. The exhibition showcases the captivating artistic realm of Aruta Soup, where social commentary and self-reflection converge. His work radically addresses the contradictions and psychological struggles of modern society. The artist's visual lexicon – the bandage-looking Rabbit character named ZERO, who frequently appears as wounded but reviving, represents both inner struggles and optimism within the peculiar worldview of the artist.
Aruta Soup's artistic language speaks to the core of British street art, particularly his time spent studying at the Camberwell College of Arts in London and was heavily influenced by the graffiti and club scene in East London. His works resonate with elements of Western culture such as cartoons, comical drawings, and the visible graffiti art on the street. Through his freewheeling expression in graffiti, Aruta Soup aims to engage with a broader audience, delivering thought-provoking messages to the public spaces of Tokyo, Paris, London, Berlin, and beyond.
Ruins delves into Aruta Soup’s exploration of the odds and complexities that are inextricably tied to the 21st century, while envisioning the inevitable decay that befalls his artworks within the test of time. The artist recalled his unusual finds of a mural painted by an unidentified graffiti artist many years ago near a deserted building. As the building was later demolished, the spray-painted motif emerged fresh and etched within the cracked bricks, sparking a profound epiphany for the artist. Aruta describes his feelings as a “sense of romance” when uncovering this mystical piece of art, meanwhile to immerse in the subtle beauty found in the ruins. Contemplating the potential fate of his own creations, he believes that art defies obsolescence, transcending the confines of material decay, even in its weathered state, the art would continue to elicit wonder and pass on the messages. Aruta Soup's vision is to create works that remain perpetually new, untethered from fleeting trends and immune to the relentless march of time.
Exhibition period: 25 March - 11 May 2024
Opening reception: 4-7 pm, 25 March (Monday)
Artist Guided Tour: 5pm, 25 March (Monday)
Whitestone Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm (Sunday by appointment only, closed on Monday and public holidays)
For further enquiries, please contact:
[email protected]
+852 2523 8001
