We live in 'the world of image.'

What is situated at opposite pole is, as it were, 'Shaba': the land of the living. Shaba is misunderstood as slangy expression : the free world outside of prison. Alternatively, I would like to give the other worlds 'All masterpieces are abstract painting.' It is not because even Cezanne or Gogh painted fruits or flowers skillfully as it is that their works have been regarded as masterpieces. Even though their motifs are representational, viewers, however, are attracted by a body of images, safely said aura, coming from there. Image is not formed as a figure of sunflower and an apple. Image is abstract in all respect. In contrast, the reason why futile works are sometimes found in super realism illustrations is that, bound by conditions of Shaba, image is unable to leap to its exterior where it behave freely. Needless to say, this does not necessary suggest that abstract painting is unconditionally masterpiece of painting. Of course it is not so. Bounded abstract paintings by Shaba are nothing more than just geometric figures.

Therefore, collected works for 'SOMANYIMAGES' are needed to be image. That is to say that, before they have arrived here, the gravity of Shaba, materiality, must be leaved behind. I curated this exhibition in order to resist against the malicious ridicule of 'no matter what you say, contemporary art is merely concept and design.'
- Shiga, curator

*image (left)
© artist and Sprout Curation