ExhibitionDiscover New Asia
Yeonjin Oh “Colors of the Air”, 2022Hiền Hoàng “Still from the left video of the 3-channel performance work 'Made in Rice,' part of the project 'Asia Bistro - Made in Rice’”, 2021John Yuyi “People on the beach 1”, 2018Nozomi Suzuki “Folding Temple Glasses (bifocals)−Daikongashi Vegetable Market” 2024,
Daikogashi Vegetable Market (1902), photo：Chuo City Kyobashi Library
Discover New Asia highlights the works of four Asian women artists—Yeonjin Oh, Hiền Hoàng, John Yuyi, and Nozomi Suzuki—who are pushing the boundaries of art photography to express their unique perspectives on identity, culture, memory, and physicality in the post-internet era. This section delves into the evolution of photographic culture in Asia, emphasizing the historical significance and rich diversity reflected in these works.
Yeonjin Oh (b.1993, Seoul) ’s work arises at the intersection of photography, painting, and printmaking, as she continually experiments with diverse techniques. Often working in a darkroom, she employs the analog process of solarization, repeatedly exposing and developing images. This approach allows her to explore the fluid and ever-changing nature of images, which are constantly in a state of flux and transformation. Her work focuses on the abstraction of images, pursuing various forms of modulation and variation.
Hiền Hoàng (b. 1990, Vietnam) is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Germany. Her work explores themes of cultural narratives, human-nature relationships, and the complexities of identity. In her project "Asia Bistro – Made in Rice" (2019-2021), Hoàng challenged stereotypes about Asian immigrants by utilizing food symbolism, performance and unconventional materials like Plexiglas, provoking critical reflections on cultural identity and discriminatory policies. Recognized with the FOAM PAUL HUF AWARD 2024 and various grants, including S+T+ARTS from the European Commission, Hoàng’s artistic journey is marked by pushing the boundaries of perception through diverse media.
John Yuyi (b.1991, Taiwan) grew up immersed in the post-Internet generation, and this experience deeply informed her artistic practice. Globally recognized as a leading interdisciplinary voice in art, fashion, and social media, Yuyi's work frequently delves into millennial depictions of the female body, alongside her keen ability to explore, harness, and reflect on the impact of social media. She often employs temporary tattoos to craft visual manifestos, with the body acting as a performative canvas. Yuyi also engages with mass media iconography, using her own body as a projection surface to explore themes of self-identity and the economics of identity.
写真：平林岳志 (grasshopper)Nozomi Suzuki (b.1983, Japan) uses silver halide photography to reveal hidden memories, capturing light, chemical, and material reactions during development. She frames landscapes through windows, allowing the scene to define itself, free from her intention or subjective viewpoint. For Suzuki, photography acts as a catalyst, merging image and medium, transforming the image into a physical form. Unlike conventional photography that reflects reality, she encourages viewers to see photography itself as the focus. She believes it has the power to slow down our perception of time, encapsulating it within the image.