Bodies

M+ presents a two-person exhibition of the photographic <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Bodies/"/Artist/Yasumasa-Morimura/03679172531714BE">works of Yasumasa Morimura</a> and <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Bodies/"/Artist/Cindy-Sherman/A4D76AC3888E6ADA">Cindy Sherman</a> (American, born 1954). Both artists are renowned for their visual and conceptual strategies of masquerade, transforming their appearances to portray multiple identities that offer incisive commentary on contemporary culture and history.</p><p>Presented as part of the Pao-Watari Exhibition Series, Yasumasa Morimura and Cindy Sherman: Masquerades features works from major early series by Morimura and Sherman. The exhibition traces the genesis of their practices, which reimagine iconic imagery from art history, cinema, and media culture. These creative acts of masquerade not only emulate the source material, but also embody the artists’ unique perspectives and contexts. Their representations deviate from the original images, triggering a sense of familiarity as well as ambiguity. By establishing a fluid relationship with their subjects, Morimura and Sherman explore identity as a malleable construct.</p><p><br></p>" />

Joakim Ojanen</a> from Sweden, alongside with Nicasio <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Bodies/"/Artist/Nicasio-Fernandez/BAD8F38BB8EA0CBC">Fernandez and <a target="_blank" href=https://www.mutualart.com/Exhibition/Bodies/"/Artist/Ryan-Travis-Christian/3DF87F84D6F0ECDC">Ryan Travis Christian</a> from the United States.&nbsp; Each artist brings their unique character to the work, offering a diverse yet cohesive exploration of contemporary themes.</p><p>Joakim Ojanen captivates with his signature characters, which often emerge as ethereal representations of human emotions entwined with the natural world. Many of the motifs in his works are based on his home country and living environment where Ojanen grew up. His intricate details and soft palettes evoke a sense of tranquility, inviting viewers to connect with the introspective narratives that lie within each piece.</p><p>Nicasio Fernandez is widely recognized for his distinctive figures characterized by warm skin tones and exaggerated bodily proportions and facial features. These characters act as placeholders for the viewer to submerge themselves within as the paintings reveal a deep exploration of personal and universal emotional tension. In his paintings, Fernandez ingeniously channels a duality of familiarity and strangeness that simultaneously addresses the complex relationship of contemporary society.</p><p>Ryan Travis Christian’s art delves into surreal personal narratives that intrigately explore the paradoxical interplay between whimsical cartoons and darker, more ominous themes. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in a small suburban town in Chicago, his visual world possesses a distinct melancholic quality that has evolved beyond mere observation.</p><p>Together, these artists embody a rich tapestry of character and expression, each contributing their signature styles to create an engaging and thought-provoking exhibition. We invite you to immerse yourself in their worlds and discover the unique voices that each artist brings to this collaborative exploration of contemporary art.</p><p><br></p>" />