GR gallery is pleased to present My Screen Tests, the first New York City solo exhibition by Kohei Yamada. The exhibition examines the enduring value of the authentic relationship between artist and artwork, engaging in themes of irony, introspection, and visual metaphor, which draw inspiration from contemporary practice and Yamada’s nuanced admiration for American Pop art.
Presenting a new suite of paintings on canvas -each paired with its esquisse on paper- In My Screen Tests, Yamada searches within New York City’s identity as the art capital of the world in order to infuse his work with a distinct vitality, revealing his admiration for Andy Warhol through motifs referencing the Silver Factory era and its entourage, and evoking tension between a sense of historical prestige and vibrant pop expressions. This interplay initiates a critical conversation between perceptions of art and is worthwhile in examining the creative directions of today’s world.
My Screen Tests is defined by motivations that comment on the ambiguous nature of art’s true value beyond its creator, while also alluding to Yamada’s need to remain bound to art for the rest of his life. The work also critiques the world’s normalization of deceit and capitalistic greed, alongside a persistent
longing for freedom that remains just out of reach. New York City lies at the core of Yamada’s practice, serving as both subject and catalyst for exploring the interplay between personal perception and nostalgia. It also functions as a cultural bridge between American and Japanese influences, tracing the artist’s journey from childhood through his engagement with the legacy of Andy Warhol, as well as other Japanese and American artists. Through a combination of brushwork, abstraction, and figuration, Yamada weaves a narrative rich in contemporary art history, while also confronting the true value of an artist’s existence.
Over half of the works exclusively made for My Screen Tests are imbued with references inspired by Warhol’s practice and artistic values, cast against New York City as a hub for experimentation where art meets and even challenges commerce. Repetition and humor are also at the core of the artist’s creative process, adding a wittiness and discipline to his work, while also connecting it on a deeper level to the Pop tradition. Yamada draws upon the city as both muse and stage, invoking a range of artistic influences as main characters, while ultimately revealing each to be a projection of his own identity.
The opening reception will take place on Friday, May 15 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The artist will participate in the opening reception.
