Lorenzo FERNÁNDEZ

Opening reception in the presence of the artist：March 22 (Sat) 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Galerie Taménaga Tokyo is delighted to present a solo exhibition by Lorenzo Fernández (b. 1970), an acclaimed Spanish contemporary realist renowned for his hyperrealistic portrayals of impossible spaces. Marking his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in four years, the show will run from Saturday March 22 to Sunday April 20, 2025, and will feature approximately 40 works—including new pieces inspired by Greek mythology further deepening the narrative complexity and emotional resonance intricately linked to his practice.

Fernández began studying traditional Spanish Baroque painting techniques at the age of 14, his first developments towards a distinctive form of realism. Though his meticulously detailed paintings initially appear photographic, his subtle manipulations—such as gentle blurring and integrating multiple perspectives—construct imaginative spaces that transcend photographic possibility. This sophisticated approach to realism allows Fernández to seamlessly weave symbolic narratives into his compositions, exemplified vividly in his recent exploration of Greek mythology.

In his artwork, Miedo al abandono / El minotauro (Fear of Abandonment, The Minotaur), Fernández cleverly employs symbolic motifs – a toy bull and gorilla to personify the Minotaur, shells representing the surrounding sea, and yarn symbolizing Theseus’s guiding thread. Set against a photographic backdrop evoking Venus, the goddess of beauty, the work strikingly contrasts beauty and darkness, dignity and isolation. This interplay of symbols invites viewers to reflect deeply on the timeless interplay of myth and contemporary human experiences.

Galerie Taménaga Tokyo warmly invites you to explore Lorenzo Fernández’s compelling narratives, where mythology gracefully intersects contemporary reality, illuminating profound reflections on the human condition.