Sotheby’s Gallery Hong Kong opened Contemporary Showcase: My Life Is Pointless, a solo exhibition of 48 works by acclaimed Spanish artist Joan Cornellà in conjunction with Hong Kong design studio, AllRightsReserved, making it the biggest solo exhibition staged by the artist in Hong Kong to date.
My Life Is Pointless is Cornellà’s third solo exhibition in Hong Kong and marks his return to the city after three years. It features for the first time the artist’s latest life-sized panels, shaped panel paintings and bronze sculptures, along with a selection of limited print works that will not be released again.
With nearly 8 million followers worldwide on social media, Cornellà’s works have been exhibited globally, from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing to London, Paris and New York. With a simplistic visual language and cheerful palette, Cornellà uses satire to comment on the bleak side of human nature, creating works that are honest, entertaining and stimulating. “In 2020, his well-established style evolved to combine text and imagery as he continues to explore the possibilities and universal resonance of his signature brand of humour,” according to Sotheby’s.
“It’s been three years since my last show in Hong Kong,” Cornellà said. “The audience can once again witness my representative works as well as some of my latest ones, which often explore the combination of text and pictures. It seems this surreal black humour resonates well with the times we live in.”
SK Lam, founder of AllRightsReserved, described Cornellà as “undoubtedly an icon of dark humour – his works crack you up, or can get on your nerves. Yet, it is Joan’s unique, sensational sense of humour that connects with everyone emotionally. The overwhelming response of his previous exhibitions in Hong Kong proves how much the people in this city relate to his worldviews. To many of us, 2020 has been incredibly challenging and it still is. I hope this exhibition, weaved together with laughter and tears, is coming at the right time as we round up the year.”
Heather Kim, Specialist of Contemporary Art, Asia of Sotheby’s, described Cornellàs works as “humorous, sinister and inspiring all at the same time. The entertaining yet thought-provoking show wraps up this unprecedented year, which truly demonstrated the tenacity and innovative opportunities of the contemporary art market in Asia and around the world.”
Joan Cornellà Vázquez was born in 1981, in Barcelona. His creations are light-hearted and playful on the surface, featuring a cheerful palette and figures with generic grins. Upon deeper contemplation, they communicate a potent, astute and nuanced satire on human nature and existence. Poking fun at sensitive and taboo topics with a fluid hand and minimal visual clues, Cornellà cuts to the core of the unnerving essence of our times.
My Life is Pointless opened on December 15 and runs until January 29 at Sotheby’s Gallery Hong Kong. By appointment only. RSVP online here: Sothebys.com/JoanCornella
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