This September, AKI Gallery will make history as the first gallery from Taiwan to be invited to The Armory Show in New York, marking a major milestone for the nation’s contemporary art scene. This landmark debut not only highlights the maturity and international competitiveness of Taiwan’s gallery ecosystem but also underscores the cultural depth and global resonance of the Asian perspective within contemporary art discourse.

The exhibition brings together an iconic Asian master alongside cross-generational contemporary Taiwanese artists: Katsura FUNAKOSHI (Japan, b. 1951–2024), Yang-Tsung FAN (Taiwan, b.1982), and Chao-Liang SHEN (Taiwan, b.1968), who collectively interpret the theme Those Splendid Yet Lonely…. Their works explore the inner solitude that lies beneath the vibrant surface of modern society, revealing complex emotional layers through sculpture, painting, and photography.

Through this transcendent dialogue, the exhibition blends tradition with innovation and highlights the diverse evolution of contemporary Asian art. We sincerely invite you to experience firsthand the boundless possibilities and powerful impact of artistic heritage and transformation.

Legendary Japanese Artist: 
Katsura FUNAKOSHI (Japan, b.1951–2024)

Katsura FUNAKOSHI dedicated his life to exploring the contours of the human form. His signature half-length busts, which rise from the waist upward, are characterized by elegantly elongated necks and marble-like eyes that shimmer with philosophical depth. The mountain-like solidity of his figures, shaped by his chisel, symbolizes the vast strength of the human spirit, while their distant gazes evoke an introspective search within the self.

In the mid to later stages of his career, his androgynous Sphinx series, suspended between human and deity, subtly revealed the primal animality lurking within the flesh. This presentation features a remarkable selection of his sculptures, drawings, and prints from 1997 to 2010.

Funakoshi’s deep concern for the human condition and the natural world reflects the restrained sensibility and profound spirituality of Japanese culture, leaving a quiet yet enduring imprint on the era.

Highly Anticipated Millennial Artist: 
Yang-Tsung FAN (Taiwan, b.1982)

Growing up during a time of profound social transformation, Yang-Tsung FAN was shaped by the tides of globalization while also deeply drawn to themes of historical reflection and identity. Navigating these shifting cultural landscapes, he developed a unique adaptability and a rebellious awareness of self.

This exhibition presents his Nightclub and Swimming Pool series, both of which explore subtle social dynamics in shared public spaces. In the Nightclub series, FAN captures dark yet dazzling scenes where facial features are blurred, but sensory experiences are vividly heightened. The human form appears to merge with its surroundings, evoking a “world of experience” in which “you and I are both different and not different.”

In contrast, the Swimming Pool series showcases towering, crimson male backs under the blazing sun, creating a striking visual impact. These bodies, rendered in scorched-red gradients, radiate unrestrained desire and physical intensity. Through his use of saturated colors and visceral atmospheres, FAN constructs an undeniable narrative of the body—one that is both intimate and political.

A Key Promoter of Taiwanese Photography: 
Chao-Liang SHEN (Taiwan, b.1968)

Chao-Liang SHEN has long focused on Taiwan’s folk society and culture, documenting unique Taiwanese cultural symbols through documentary photography. He has developed a distinctive style both in subject matter and aesthetics, securing a significant position in contemporary Taiwanese photography.

This exhibition features his internationally acclaimed STAGE series (2005–2023), which has toured in over thirty countries. The series was also honored with the Artists Wanted: Year in Review award in New York in 2011. The stage trucks, often referred to as “Taiwanese Transformers,” vividly portray a unique Taiwanese entertainment industry, embodying the close relationship between folk life and religious activities, while expressing a distinctly “Taiwanese aesthetic” that is both visually striking and culturally rich.

The stage truck serves as a mobile theater that condenses local human connections and reflects the changes of the era. This “mobility” breaks geographical boundaries; in the magical moments captured by the artist, the stage appears empty, yet it is imbued with Taiwan’s deep-rooted local memories and cultural currents.

Address
The Armory Show 2025 _ Booth 235, Javits Center 429 11th Avenue New York, NY 10001

Artist
Katsura FUNAKOSHI, Yang-Tsung FAN, Chao-Liang SHEN

Exhibition Dates
September 4, 2025, 11:00 – 19:00 (Preview)  
September 5 – 7, 2025 (Public)

Website
https://www.galleryaki.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/akigallery/

Contact
info@galleryaki.com
+886-2-2599-1171

(Text and images courtesy of AKI Gallery)