Zhou Hao: Tracing Footsteps

Sept 7 (Sat) – Dec 1 (Sun), 2024　 "Exhibition extended"

Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Final Day of the Exhibition: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed: Monday, Tuesday

Invitation to the Gathering
　Tracing the Footsteps of Zhou Hao

Date and Time: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 14:00 - 15:30
Venue: Artland Gallery

We are pleased to announce the gathering to trace the footsteps of Mr. Zhou Hao. We have invited his wife, Keiko Kunii, to share memories and thoughts about Mr. Hao.
The event will include the following:

・Presentation from Artland Gallery: We will explain the background and overview of the exhibition project.

・Talk by Keiko Kunii: Ms. Kunii will present Mr. Hao's photo albums from his student days, his favorite tools, sketches of his works, and his box of inspirations, which was the source of many ideas.

・Discussion and Sharing: We invite participants to share their thoughts and memories about Mr. Hao's works, but we also welcome those who simply wish to attend.

Everyone is welcome to join us, so please feel free to attend. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Painter II
In the same room, drawing side by side, this was a familiar sight for me.
The person who painted every day, 　endlessly painting, 　 never sitting down.
　　　　Oil Painting, F10 Size, by Kunii Keiko

Artland Gallery will hold an exhibition titled "Zhou Hao: Tracing Footsteps" in memory of the late artist Zhou Hao, who has been active in Asia and Europe with bases in Shanghai and Yokohama. This exhibition will run from September 7th to Dec 1 (Sun), 2024, tracing the footsteps he walked alongside our gallery, overwhelmed by the energy of his creative endeavors.

Exhibition Overview
Title: Zhou Hao: Tracing Footsteps
Duration: From September 7th (Saturday) to Dec 1 (Sun)　 "Exhibition extended"
Venue: Artland Gallery
　　　　 including the 1st Floor Gallery, 2nd Floor Gallery, and Semi-Basement Gallery
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last day until 4:00 PM)
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays

Zhou Hao's exhibition journey at our gallery began when his first artwork arrived in May 1999, leading to his inaugural solo exhibition in March 2000. He continued this path tirelessly until the group exhibition in September 2023. Over the years, he held solo exhibitions every two years starting from 2004, totaling eleven, along with two solo exhibitions at art fairs (in Nagoya in 2013 and Kobe in 2019), and participated in various group exhibitions and art fairs.

The range of artworks produced throughout his lifetime is extensive, spanning from lithographs, monotypes, watercolors, ink paintings, papier-mâché, oil paintings, paper sculptures, artist's books, etchings, Pliage Collage, to pencil drawings. Over time, he transitioned from prints and drawings to oil paintings, while also creating unique sculptural works such as paper sculptures and collages.

This exhibition consists of two parts:
Part 1: Traces Zhou Hao's exhibition activities at our gallery, showcasing works presented from his first solo exhibition in 2000 to his final group exhibition in 2023, displayed chronologically by exhibition year in the gallery on the first floor and semi-basement.

Part 2: Explores memories shared with individuals who had connections with Zhou Hao in the 2nd floor gallery. Based on texts written as messages during each solo exhibition since 2000, opening talks in 2014, 2016, and 2018, and workshops using paper in 2020 and 2022, we will exhibit memorabilia and messages contributed by attendees.
Additionally, items such as the box Hou Zhou kept by his side for making collages (including print scraps) and tools he personally modified for ease of use will be exhibited.

(Note) Passed away on September 18, 2023, at the age of 62.

Passing of Mr. Zhou Hao

It is with profound sadness that we must share this heartbreaking news. On September 18th, we lost Mr. Zhou Hao at the age of 62.

We first received word of Mr. Zhou's participation in a small-scale exhibition in Tokyo via email at the end of January. Drawing inspiration from the details he provided, our gallery worked tirelessly over two months to bring to life the Dimension Zero exhibition. Little did we know that this would become Mr. Zhou Hao's final stage.

Since his first artwork arrived at our gallery in May 1999, we have been captivated by his unwavering creative energy. We ran alongside him, witnessing his ceaseless artistic journey. In late August, during a phone call, we heard about his deteriorating health, and within just three weeks, he disappeared from this world. On September 19th, when we received the news of his passing, we were left in stunned silence, tears flowing uncontrollably. It felt surreal, like a dream, as if it couldn't be real.

On the 25th, at a small, non-religious ceremony in Yokohama, we came face to face with Mr. Zhou's remains. Even as we gazed at his unexpected presence, tears wouldn't come. It was impossible to accept that the same person we had spoken to on the phone so recently now lay before us, lifeless.

Mr. Zhou Hao, we are immensely grateful for the long journey we shared. As long as we remain in good health, we will continue to convey your art to the world. Please watch over us.
Yamashita Takashi and Yamashita Eriko
October 12, 2023


P.S. Earlier this year, in May, we had been in email correspondence to plan your solo exhibition for next year in October. Little did we know it would become a memorial exhibition. In light of this, we have decided to change the exhibition to the following schedule:

Zhou Hao Memorial Exhibition
September 7, 2024 (Saturday) - October 6, 2024 (Sunday)