Whitestone Gallery Singapore is proud to present its first Gutai Movement showcase; GUTAI: Beyond the Canvas. Tearing of paper, muddling paint with their feet, throwing bottles of paint, work focused on color and gesture, bold and energetic brushstrokes to express raw, emotional power and even wearing a dress composed of electric bulbs. This compilation of eccentricities and performances became characteristics of the Gutai movement.
First founded in 1954 by Yoshihara Jirō after World War 2 (WW2), the Gutai Art Movement was an Avant-Garde collective that sought to break traditional art forms and experiment with techniques. Its philosophy emphasized the connection between art matter and the human spirit, advocating for innovation and unrestraints in art— remaining as an emblem of creativity, characterized by unthinkable techniques and deep philosophical engagement.
Gutai’s first generation members consisted of Yoshihara Jirō, the founder of Gutai, along with Shozo Shimamoto, Kazuo Shiraga, Chiyu Uemae, Atsuko Tanaka, Tsuroko Yamazaki, Yasuo Sumi and Sadamasa Motonaga. Their pioneering transformed the landscape of contemporary art, emphasizing the act of creation itself as a performative, physical process.
By using their bodies as tools in the creative process, they broke away from traditional artistic conventions. Using their experimental approaches to materials, often incorporating unconventional substances like metal, textiles, and even electricity, their focus on material experimentation and engagement pushed the boundaries of what art could be. Motivating viewers to be active participants in the creative process, these artists laid the groundwork of Gutai for not only their future members, but future movements in performance, installation, and conceptual art.
A second generation of artists later joined Gutai, merging innovative techniques with philosophical engagement. They distinguished themselves by addressing post-war themes such as identity, individual expression, freedom, and materiality, emphasizing artistic processes and community gatherings.
Featuring iconic works from Tsuyoshi Maekawa, Shuji Mukai, Takesada Matsutani, and Yuko Nasaka, this exhibition consists of innovative techniques and social themes ingrained into the Gutai movement where viewers will be able to encounter the works of these artists who navigated the complexities of contemporary life in changing Japan.
Venue: Whitestone Gallery Singapore, 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark #05-03/06, Singapore 089065
When: 11 Jan - 2 Mar 2025,
By: Whitestone Gallery - New Art Museum
