A major retrospective of legendary artist Hajime Sorayama has opened today at NANZUKA ART INSTITUTE in Shanghai. The exhibition, titled "Light, Reflection, Transparency," showcases nearly five decades of the artist's groundbreaking work, from the late 1970s to the present day.
©Hajime Sorayama
Courtesy of NANZUKA
Mastering Light Through Artistic Innovation
Throughout his career, Sorayama has dedicated himself to the artistic pursuit of "light," "reflection," and "transparency." His creative philosophy centers on transcending the limitations of traditional painting techniques to capture the elusive quality of light. As the artist himself has stated, "To depict light, it is necessary to depict air; to depict air, it is necessary to depict transparency; the key is how to master the expression of reflection."
Much like Leonardo da Vinci's development of sfumato or the Impressionists' use of pointillism, Sorayama continually pushes boundaries to create unprecedented visual illusions. His work represents an extraordinary effort to capture the unseen and explore the deepest layers of human perception.
Envisioning a Future Beyond Biological Limitations
Sorayama's distinctive depictions of robots, human figures, animals, and dinosaurs offer viewers a speculative vision of a future that transcends physical limitations. His creations invite us to imagine an aesthetic future where organic life forms merge with mechanical civilization, raising profound questions about human intellect, the body, and the nature of time.
Will technology eventually transcend the limits of the human body and grant eternal life? Or might a future emerge where artificial intelligence coexists harmoniously with humanity? These are among the thought-provoking themes explored through Sorayama's visionary artwork.
Exhibition Highlights
Visitors to the exhibition can experience Sorayama's iconic works, including his first robot painting created for a whiskey advertisement in 1978 and the famous female robot featured on Aerosmith's "Permanent Vacation" album cover. The exhibition also presents his latest paintings of robotic dinosaurs and unicorns, alongside new sculptures and an innovative video installation.
A highlight of the exhibition extends beyond the gallery walls—Sorayama's monumental 12-meter-tall aluminum robot, originally showcased at Dior's 2018 runway show, is displayed as a public artwork at The Summit. This striking installation provides visitors with a powerful encounter with the artist's visionary approach.
©Hajime Sorayama
Courtesy of NANZUKA
©Hajime Sorayama
Courtesy of NANZUKA
©Hajime Sorayama
Courtesy of NANZUKA
About Hajime Sorayama
Hajime Sorayama has established himself as a legendary artist both in Japan and internationally, known for his extensive body of work centered on the pursuit of beauty at the intersection of the human body and machinery.
His signature "Sexy Robot" series, begun in 1978, integrates the aesthetic beauty of the female form with robotic elements. This groundbreaking series has significantly influenced robotic imagery in popular culture, including designs for Paul Verhoeven's film "RoboCop" and Thierry Mugler's 1995 fashion collection.
Sorayama's international acclaim continues to grow through high-profile collaborations, including the concept design for Sony's entertainment robot AIBO in 1999, artwork for Aerosmith's 2001 album "Just Push Play," work with designer Kim Jones on the 2018 Dior Men collection, and more recent collaborations with The Weeknd and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton in 2023.
His works are housed in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and M+ in Hong Kong. Sorayama has exhibited widely in numerous exhibitions worldwide, including "Unorthodox" (The Jewish Museum, New York, 2015), "Desire" (Larry Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch, Miami, 2016), "The Universe and Art" (Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2016 / Art Science Museum, Singapore, 2017), "Cool Japan" (Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, 2018), and "Post Human" (Jeffrey Deitch, LA, 2024).
Hajime Sorayama: Light, Reflection, Transparency
Dates: February 28 - June 15, 2025
Venue: NANZUKA ART INSTITUTE, 3F. The Summit tower #1, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Opening Hours: Wednesday - Monday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last admission at 8:00 PM)
Closed: Tuesdays
Website: https://nanzuka.com/en
