Galerie Tamenaga is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Lorenzo Fernández, a representative contemporary Spanish realist painter known for his hyper-realistic depictions of impossible spaces, from March 22 (Sat) to April 20 (Sun), 2025. This will be his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in four years. The exhibition will feature approximately 40 pieces, including new works inspired by Greek mythology that have an even more dramatic story-telling quality.
Fernández established his own unique style of realism based on the traditional Spanish Baroque painting techniques he learned at the age of 14. His paintings, meticulously drawn down to the smallest detail, at first glance appear to be photographs, but his unrealistic blurring of focus and compositions that combine multiple viewpoints create a space that transcends reality and cannot be fully expressed through photography.
Moreover, while the motifs are familiar, each one is imbued with a symbolic meaning, prompting the viewer to ponder deeply. In the Greek mythology series "Fear of Loneliness/Minotaur," the bull and gorilla toys represent the Minotaur, and the photograph behind them represents Venus, the goddess of beauty, and are depicted as the polar opposite of beauty. The essence of myth is sprinkled throughout, with the shells representing the ocean surrounding the labyrinth in which Theseus is imprisoned, and the balls of yarn representing a signpost guiding the hero Theseus, and the blues, purples, and browns evoke his dignity and hope for a future in which he will be saved from loneliness. It is fun to consider the meaning of the motifs, and they can also serve as an opportunity to look at universal themes that have been passed down from the age of mythology to the present day.
We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the works of Lorenzo Fernandez, who breathes new insights and drama into our everyday lives.
Lorenzo FERNÁNDEZ
Born in Madrid, Spain in 1970, he began studying traditional Spanish Baroque painting at the age of 14, and in 1993 studied under Pedro Calvin, a leading figure in conceptual art. He has established a unique style of painting that combines tradition and modernity, and since his first solo exhibition at Galerie Tamenaga in Paris in 2006, he has been active globally, participating in art fairs around the world. His works are held in museums and foundations in Spain, as well as the Chichu Art Museum (Naoshima, Kagawa) in Japan, and are highly acclaimed around the world.
-First visit to Japan in 11 years- Reception to be held on March 22 (Sat) from 16:00 to 18:00
Exhibited works (partial list)
"Beyond Beauty / The Birth of Venus" 57 x 76 cm
This work depicts Hedy Lamarr, an actress active in the 1940s, as Venus emerging from a seashell. Lamarr is known not only for her beauty, but also as the inventor of the radio guidance system that is the basis of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Next to her is a sculpture of a dog, which has long been a symbol of loyalty and sincerity in Romanesque art, and behind her, a robot head, which can be said to be a symbol of cutting-edge technology, gazes out at us. This work explores themes such as the past and the future, and beauty, nature, and technology.
[Exhibition Overview]
Lorenzo Fernandez Exhibition <br /> Dates: March 22 (Sat) – April 20 (Sun), 2025
Artist reception: March 22 (Sat) 16:00-18:00
Venue: Galerie Tamenaga, 7-5-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00-19:00 / Sundays and holidays 11:00-17:00
Official site: www.tamenaga.com
From Galerie Tamenaga Co., Ltd.'s press release
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