This exhibition focuses on the concept of Asian contemporary art. Soka is the first art gallery to introduce Southeast Asian art to galleries in Taiwan, showing works from Indonesian artist Agus Suwage, Thai artist Natee Utarit and Filipino artist Gabriel Barredo. Their unique styles are ahead of their times, yet incorporated with local cultures and traditions. Soka has a close relationship with the art industry in Japan and Korea. We have hosted tours for prominent minimalist Korean artists, becoming the very first art organization in Taiwan to exhibit Korean minimalist works. This time, we present Park Seo Bo’s famous “Ecriture” series from his earlier works and contemporary Korean ink artist Moon Bong Sun’s works. Representing the Japanese contemporary art are works of Yayoi Kusama and Yoshitomo Nara, who both are trend-setting and well-known artists.

The opening exhibition includes works by 31 internationally renowned artists. These come not only from the Soka Art Collection but also from artists invited to participate in the exhibition by the curators. The exhibition theme “High in the Clouds” comes from the recently popular technological idea of “Cloud Computing,” signifying the hopes and expectations that still very much motivate Soka Art as it fast approaches its twentieth birthday.

Soka Art Beijing presents Gabriel Barredo’s solo exhibition: Visions. All the exhibited works are baroque-looking pieces which are made from everyday things – found objects, fiberglass, resin, old items given by friends – because under Barredo’s hands, all these objects have been transformed into something different altogether – something not of this world. Barredo was born in 1957 and currently works and lives in Manila. He is the prominent Philippine artist who represented the Philippines to participate Havana Biennale in 1985 and Sao Paolo Biennale in 1994. Barredo is well known for his sculpture and installation. Gabriel Barredo: VISIONS is the first solo exhibition to exhibit Barredo integrity collections in China. Soka Art Beijing would like to purpose the co-host project with the Philippine Embassy together to bring Gabriel Barredo to China art audiences during the Olympics.