Ryo Toyofuku Solo Exhibition "The Golden Realm"

Art Front Gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Ryo Toyofuku “Golden Realm.” Toyofuku has participated in numerous art festivals in Japan and abroad—including the Echigo-Tsumari Triennale and Setouchi Triennale—creating site-specific installations rooted in the memories and stories of each place. In 2025, he is set to hold his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, marking him as one of the most promising emerging artists.

This exhibition brings to life a long-standing vision Toyofuku has nurtured over the years, materializing his ideas into relief works. Drawing inspiration from regional legends, folktales, and fantastical narratives encountered in each place, the artist explores the idea of a “gateway to another world or dimension—revealed in the moment we encounter colors outside the realm of everyday life.” This sensation is encapsulated in the exhibition’s title, Golden Realm.

For Toyofuku, “gold” is not merely an ornamental or luxurious material, but rather a timeless substance that resists decay. It also symbolizes a contrast to nature, while evoking religious, psychological, and cultural connotations such as desire and humanity. Toyofuku often weaves these themes together with humor and irony. He has also long been fascinated by local festivals and customs—rituals and forms that may seem strange or otherworldly to outsiders. At the core of his artistic philosophy lies a consistent emphasis on "site-specificity"—expressions that emerge from the place itself. His works aim to serve as gateways that, deeply connected to the context of the land, invite viewers into another world.

This exhibition will feature 7 to 10 new relief works, ranging in scale from small to large. All are infused with elements of myth, ritual, and intangible cultural memory, unified through the use of gold to spark new layers of imagination. One of the highlights is Tennyo-zo (statue of a celestial maiden), a monumental work over three meters wide, combining everyday objects, ornaments, and mythological motifs. Like remnants of a prayer salvaged from the depths of the sea, it quietly encapsulates time and memory.

Having previously focused on large-scale installations, this exhibition marks Toyofuku’s first full presentation in a gallery setting. It represents a significant new chapter in his artistic journey. Coinciding with the summer program of the Setouchi Triennale 2025, opening August 1st, the show offers a rare opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Toyofuku’s unique worldview.