你認識平子雄一、堀越達人、金子英、小久保拓海、小森紀綱、Hiroya Kurata、松川朋奈、松岡亮、Minori Oga、Hiro Sugiyama、Ichi Tashiro，以及Tide這十二位日本當代藝術家嗎？WKM Gallery的盛大開幕預示著其展覽「 Metamorphosis: Japan’s Evolving Society 」的首次亮相，這個變革性的展覽亦匯集了以上這十二位優秀的日本當代藝術家。

The grand opening of WKM Gallery heralds the debut of its inaugural exhibition, Metamorphosis: Japan’s Evolving Society. This transformative showcase features an ensemble of twelve exceptional contemporary Japanese artists, including Yuichi Hirako, Tatsuhito Horikoshi, Ei Kaneko, Takumi Kokubo, Akitsuna Komori, Hiroya Kurata, Tomona Matsukawa, Ryo Matsuoka, Minori Oga, Hiro Sugiyama, Ichi Tashiro and TIDE, whose works beautifully encapsulate the spirit of adaptation, resilience, and creative expression.

Why it matters:
由創辦人William Kayne Mukai掌舵的WKM Gallery宣布將於2023年11月24日隆重開幕。這個創新的藝術空間坐落於充滿活力的黃竹坑街區，預計將成為藝術愛好者、收藏家和創意人士的目的地。畫廊致力為我社區帶來非凡的藝術體驗，其首個展覽 「Metamorphosis:Japan’s Evolving Society」便邀請觀眾踏上當代日本藝術之旅。

WKM Gallery announced its grand opening on 24 November 2023, with founder William Kayne Mukai at the helm. Nestled in the vibrant Wong Chuk Hang neighbourhood, this innovative art space promises to be a captivating destination for art enthusiasts, collectors, and creatives alike. Dedicated to bringing exceptional art experiences to our community, the gallery’s inaugural exhibition, “Metamorphosis: Japan’s Evolving Society”, invites viewers to embark on a journey through contemporary Japanese art.

3 Hightlights:
．​WKM Gallery以創辦人William Kayne Mukai的名字命名，成為香港藝術界獨特的新員。William將其法國和日本背景融合畫廊中，凸顯了文化共融和藝術卓越的精神。憑藉在藝術界的豐富經驗，他期望創立一個連接各地文化的平台，並支持才華橫溢的藝術家。此外，畫廊歡迎各行各業及背景的人，將制定不同活動，以涵蓋更廣泛、更多樣化的觀眾。

．​WKM Gallery佔地逾2,600平方尺，將展覽、獨特的共用區域和寧靜的山脈背景完美地結合在一起。由日本建築師Koichi Futatsumata創立的CASE-REAL設計，畫廊體現了日本的精神精髓，超越了傳統畫廊的規範。

．​首展作品完美地體現了適應、韌性和創造性表達的精神，帶領觀眾踏上日本社會不斷發展的變革之旅，凸顯了每位藝術家重新定義當代日本的非凡能力，超越文化界限，同時深入研究普遍的人類經驗。這些藝術品將觀眾包圍在一個充滿情感和創造力的世界中，使用鮮艷的色彩和熟悉的物件來挑戰先入為主的觀念的問題，並鼓勵對知情和學習的感知進行更深入的探索。

．WKM Gallery, bearing the name of its founder William Kayne Mukai, emerges as a distinctive and compelling addition to the Hong Kong art scene. William’s unique
heritage, a blend of French and Japanese roots, underscores the gallery’s ethos of cultural amalgamation and artistic excellence. With extensive experience in the art world, William aspires to create an unparalleled platform that seamlessly bridges cultures and champions exceptionally talented artists.

．WKM Gallery, spanning over 2,600 square feet, seamlessly combines exhibition, a special common area, and a backdrop of serene mountains. Designed by CASE-REAL led by Japanese Architect Koichi Futatsumata, it embodies Japan’s spiritual essence, transcending traditional gallery norms.

． Taking viewers on a transformative journey through the evolving tapestry of Japanese society, it spotlights each artist’s remarkable ability to redefine contemporary Japan, transcending cultural boundaries while delving into the universal human experience. These artworks envelop the viewer in a world of emotions and creativity, using vibrant colours and familiar objects to provoke questions that challenge preconceived notions and encourage a deeper exploration of informed and learned perceptions.

Background – WKM Gallery:
WKM Gallery由William Kayne Mukai創立，是香港一個充滿活力和創新的藝術空間。William擁有法國和日本的獨特背景，致力於支持來自世界各地的才華橫溢的藝術家。畫廊為新晉和知名藝術家提供文化交流平台，促進創造力。WKM Gallery策劃超越界限及激發創意的展覽。WKM Gallery的掌舵人為William Kayne Mukai，獨特地融合了法國和日本血統，為畫廊注入了深厚的藝術體驗。他致力於促進跨文化對話並推動藝術家前進，打造藝術表達和文化交流的平台。

WKM Gallery, founded by William Kayne Mukai, is a dynamic and innovative art space in Hong Kong. With a unique background encompassing French and Japanese roots, William is dedicated to bridging cultures and championing talented artists from around the world. The gallery offers a platform for both emerging and established artists, fostering creativity and cultural exchange. WKM Gallery curates exceptional exhibitions that transcend boundaries, inspire creativity, and enrich the global art community. At the helm of WKM Gallery is visionary founder William Kayne Mukai, whose unique blend of French and Japanese heritage infuses the gallery with a profound art-world experience. He’s dedicated to bridging cultures and championing talented artists, particularly the younger generation. William is committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and propelling artists forward, crafting a legacy of artistic expression and cultural exchange.

Final Tips:
在畫廊的四個主要區域中，都能體現日本設計概念，牆壁和柱子創造出有趣的深度獨特的空間，暗示著前方的事物，讓人想起日本的障子屏風和暖簾。
In the gallery’s four main zones, walls and columns create intriguing depths, hinting at what lies ahead, reminiscent of Japan’s shoji screens and noren curtains. These spaces deliberately cultivate a distinct “ma” (間), a Japanese design concept representing the space between elements.

Metamorphosis: Japan’s Evolving Society
Date:
2023.11.25 – 2024.1.5
Venue:
WKM Gallery
香港黃竹坑 62 號科達設計師中心樓 20 道
20/F, Coda Designer Centre, 62 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong

Courtesy of the artist and the gallery