SHOWING FOR THE FIRST TIME
LIFE-SIZE PANELS OF THE ARTIST’S SIGNATURE WORKS
BRONZE SCULPTURES: SELFIE GUN, BOOTYBOOP AND MORE
Exhibition: 15 December 2020 – 29 January 2021 (By appointment only)
Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, 5/F One Pacific Place, Admiralty
RSVP Online: Sothebys.com/JoanCornella
#JoanCornellà #Sothebys #AllRightsReserved
This December, Sotheby’s is delighted to present Contemporary Showcase: My Life Is Pointless by Joan Cornellà, a solo exhibition of iconic works by acclaimed artist Joan Cornellà. In collaboration with creative partner AllRightsReserved, the exhibition will feature 48 works by Cornellà, making it the biggest solo exhibition of the artist ever in Hong Kong. The exhibition will run from 15 December 2020 to 29 January 2021 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery.
My Life Is Pointless is Cornellà’s third solo exhibition in Hong Kong and marks his return to the city after three years, showcasing for the first time the artist’s latest life-sized panels, shaped panel paintings and a selection of limited bronze sculptures.
With nearly 8 million followers on social media, Cornellà is highly regarded on the international stage and his 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, the artist’s well-established style has evolved to combine text and imagery as he continues to explore the possibilities and universal resonance of his signature brand of humour.
Three years since my last show in the city, the Hong Kong audience can once again witness my representative works as well as some of my latest works, which often explore the combination of text and pictures. It seems this surreal black humour resonates well with the times we live in. Although, as I always say, I’d like my work to speak for itself, and I hope to keep interpretations as open as possible to allow for some sort of critical thinking.
Joan Cornellà is undoubtedly an icon of dark humour - there must have been times when his works cracked you up or got on your nerves. Yet, it is this unique, sensational sense of humour of Joan’s 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.
Joan’s works are humorous, sinister and inspiring all at the same time. We are gratified to present this playful yet provocative exhibition in collaboration with AllRightsReserved. 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.
