Home / Events / Keisuke Kondo + Motohiro Tomii "Possibly a Human—Somewhat Classical"

Exhibition/event has ended.

Keisuke Kondo + Motohiro Tomii "Possibly a Human—Somewhat Classical"

Loko Gallery

Finished

Artists

Keisuke Kondo, Motohiro Tomii

For the publication of the catalogue documenting Plain and simple painting and sculpture that continues like an enigma in the background (Kawasaki City Museum and LOKO GALLERY, 2023), we decided to include not the photographs of ourselves, but portraits we made of each other (my sculpted bust of Kondo and Kondo’s portrait of me). What began as a casual whim soon led Kondo to explore portraiture in his solo exhibition, while I presented a piece on what I call my “B-side,” a piece verging on sculpture. We have had almost no experience depicting actual people, living or historical, which leads me to wonder why we now find ourselves drawn to portraiture. At the very least, I want to stress that—even if the works appear to resemble human figures—this is not a simple return to figuration. This exhibition is our attempt to pursue a more abstract engagement with the traditions of Nihonga and sculpture—traditions that we have willingly taken on ourselves as representatives of, regardless of public perception. One might say, “Then why not do it as a solo exhibition?” Yet we hope you will see our cautious choice to present it as a two-person show as itself an expression of respect toward portraiture. Half in jest, this is also our first “ordinary” two-person exhibition since we began collaborating in 2010. It feels like stepping into the ring for a singles match after years as tag-team partners. Whether it turns into tentative sparring or an intense battle remains to be seen.

Schedule

Oct 10 (Fri) 2025-Nov 8 (Sat) 2025