Reality

Alpha Contemporary is proud to present 「Reality : Piers Tobias Alsop and Ai Ohkawara」.

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This exhibition introduces two artists of the same generation from Japan and the UK who have unique insights into the big puzzle of life's "reality" and express the fragments of "reality" as their own visual language.

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Piers Tobias Alsop (b.1984, London, UK) 's  approach sees him use the canvas as an imaginary set, in which he considers humans' intermittent relationship with reality. 

Anonymous figures often populate the compositions that at times border on abstraction. 

Isolated in their surroundings they invite the viewer into their discreet vignettes.

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Embracing ambiguity and rejecting reason, Piers employs a diverse range of symbology pulled from past and present.

 

Frequently punctuated with humour, he offers fragmented narratives that allow for multiple readings. 

A spectrum of realism is on display from flat abstraction to detailed representation, to raking perspective. Sometimes reminiscent of prop facades, the work refers to fictions we hold in our collective conscience. 

 

Piers lives and works in London. He completed his BA in Painting at UAL: Camberwell College of Arts in 2007. 

In 2023 he was invited to be a visiting tutor at Newcastle University.

 

Selected solo/duo presentations include: Zona Maco, Tsivrikos Shake, CDMX, Mexico (2022), Like an ancient day, Neon Gallery, London, UK (2021) Double Vision, Kribbestraat 3, Brussels, Belgium (2021) Not a Peep, Testbed02, London, UK (2017). 

 

Selected group exhibitions include: Gertrude PRESENTS, Truman brewery, London, UK (2022), Art on a postcard, The Bomb Factory, London, UK (2022) Summer Show, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2022), Salon 22, Tsivrikos Shake, London, UK (2022) Mythologies, Neon Gallery, London, UK (2021) Kinesis, Neon gallery, London, UK (2020), Summer Show, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2018), A Dark Moment, Testbed01, London, UK (2015), Birthday, Toy Gallery, London, UK (2009), Bind, Mashed Potato Gallery, London, UK (2007)

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We also exhibit some items related to Piers' father, Will Alsop (1947-2018) who was a leading British architect and painter. During the exhibition period, his drawing book, valuable photographs such as a rare two-shot with Piers and  photos taken in the atelier, as well as architectural catalogues are showcased on display.

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Ai Okawara (Japan, b.1979) visualizes the two sides of things that we face in life, such as the front and back of things, the light and darkness of human's hearts. Using realistic techniques, she creates psychological compositions that depict not only the bright world, but also the inner darkness and things of people as they really are.

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While accurately and delicately depicting human bodies and objects, she also deforms parts of human body and background, creating an expression on the border of abstraction.

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The beautiful and delicate skeleton that emerges from the skin, the eyes that remain closed, the deformed body, etc., depict the imperfections of an incomplete human being, the beauty that lies within that imperfection and the oozing light draw the viewer into her screen.

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Her delicate yet bold brushstrokes, and the contrast of vivid and bright colors drawn on monotone, remind us of a fragment of the reality of life, like darkness and light, two sides of a coin.

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She received her Bachelors Degree in Japanese Art  at Musashino Art University in Tokyo in 2002 and her Masters Degree in Japanese Art at the same university in 2004. She currently lives in Tokyo, Japan. Since her first solo exhibition in Ginza in 2003, she has been featured in numerous art magazines, TV shows, movies, and various other formats. Since 2003, she has been part of numerous solo and group exhibitions across Japan. 

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Beginning in 2007, she expanded her artistic reach to multiple international avenues, including Taiwan, China, United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East and Europe. 

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She has international followings, having sold her work across Europe, Asia, and North America. Her art is regularly part of various exhibitions throughout Japan.