Toshiyuki Enoki
Press Release
Whitestone Gallery is pleased to present Toshiyuki Enoki’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong at the gallery’s Hollywood Road space. The exhibition comprises a selection of Enoki’s distinctive paintings created recent years that highlights artist’s unique visual narrative.
Enoki explores the world of myth and imagination through his paintings. Imaginative animals and figures from Greek Mythology, ancient Asian Stories, and contemporary novels are most often used motifs of Enoki’s paintings. Pegasus, dragon, phoenix, unicorn, even androids are emerging from a dreamy setting and creates an appealing visual narrative. Also, the title of the painting is taking an important part in telling the artist’s story. Many of titles of his paintings are words and names originating from Greek Mythology, and ancient Asian Stories. And tracking down the origin of the words from the title can be the clue that leads viewers to the Enoki’s visual language. To that extent, Enoki’s paintings are strongly connected with Renaissance period paintings in its themes. But instead of taking the subjects to the transcendental level like the Renaissance paintings, the artist takes the subjects to a smaller and more intimate territory and delivers more familiar sentiments. For example, in the painting titled ‘Capricorn’, Mythical Capricorns lie with a girl with a gentle smile on face and hugging each other, from the other work ‘little Phoenix’, chicks are playing on the ground peacefully. Enoki intentionally uses the familiar animals to depict the mythological creatures and it brings more pure human emotions and narratives rather than mythical powers or heroic stories. Also by using mixed media of traditional Japanese natural pigments and acrylic, the artist freely crosses the traditional Japanese style and European style of painting. This mixture of style and thematic crossover fabricate Enoki’s visual narrative something very fresh and unique.
About the Artist
Born in Tokyo 1961, Enoki studies Arts and Design at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Since 2008, he participates KAN-HIKARI EXPO in Kyoto, and installs his works at the International heritage sites like Jochi Temple, Senyu Temple and Nijo Castle. He also participated the 21st CENTURY EXHIBITION OF JAPANESE ART from 2010 to 2012 while doing solo shows throughout the Japan. He was also invited to FU-KU Project in Iwami in 2015 at Hamada City Sekisho Museum.
