Alex Kanevsky
Alex Kanevsky has not previously had an opportunity to show his work in Japan.
Born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in 1963, and now based in the United States, he is a painter of high international standing.
104 INTRODUCES
104GALERIE (Meguro, Tokyo), a gallery that actively organizes exhibitions of overseas painters, presents the group show “104 INTRODUCES.” Composed of five artists making their Japan debut, the show includes Alex Kanevsky, whose work is being exhibited in Japan for the first time as part of it.
This is a rare chance for Japanese audiences to encounter Kanevsky, a painter whose singular pictorial language has drawn wide acclaim. It reportedly took repeated offers from 104GALERIE before this participation was finally realized.
The two Kanevsky works on view are as follows.
Green Coat
A new painting commissioned for this exhibition, Green Coat.
Advance inquiries reportedly poured in from both inside and outside Japan.
This may be hard to make out in reproduction, but the blue background is underpainted with reddish tones.
Female Nude Sliding off a Painting
A nude painting, one of the signature series in Kanevsky’s practice.
The layered, intricately entwined paint surface is striking.
The work is roughly F8 in size, small enough that it really rewards seeing in person.
The paint layer turned out to be thinner and more brushy than I had imagined.
Only two pieces, but seeing Kanevsky’s work in person for the first time was a captivating experience.
The gallery director spoke about wanting to mount a solo show for him at some point in the future.
That day is very much worth looking forward to.
This was “104 INTRODUCES,” a group show presenting five artists in Japan for the first time.
