Press Release
Shahpour Pouyan
Cyclopses in Doubt, Observing the West
November 18 (sat) – December 23 (sat), 2023
Opening Reception: November 18 (sat) 4:00 PM - 6:00 PMTokyo Gallery+BTAP｜Tokyo
TEL: 03-3571-1808 / FAX: 03-3571-7689
Curator: Penny Dan Xu
Tokyo Gallery + BTAP is delighted to present the Iranian artist Shahpour Pouyan's
inaugural solo exhibition in Japan. An esteemed multimedia artist, Pouyan's work has
been featured in a distinguished array of museum exhibitions and art festivals worldwide,such as the Jeddah Biennale in Jeddah (2023), Hayward Gallery in London (2022),
Victoria & Albert Museum in London (2021), Pera Museum in Istanbul (2020), Rubin
Museum in New York (2020), The British Museum in London (2017), among others. The
exhibition "Cyclopses in Doubt, Observing the West" will open to public on the 18th ofNovember and runs until December 23rd.
Born in Isfahan in 1979, Shahpour Pouyan lives and works between London and Tehran.
Adept in painting, sculpting, and ceramics, his oeuvre invites audiences to delve into
themes of history, power dynamics, and the looming specter of war, while also
spotlighting urgent global issues. In this exhibition, Pouyan presents us with a new seriesof ceramic sculptures. For the first time in his ceramic sculpture, he features themes ofdepth, invisibility, and the hidden facets of architectural form, thereby introducing anuanced play of perceptions, leaving us not with definitive answers but with an array ofthought-provoking questions.
Clay serves as more than just a medium for crafting utilitarian or decorative items. Fromthe intricate designs of Jōmon pottery to cuneiform tablets loaded with knowledge andinformation, clay transcends mere functionality. It is a vessel for capturing human thought,creativity, and innovation. Deeply intertwined with both life and death, its significance iscross-cultural and historical. More importantly, clay allows the creators to materialize
their thinking, lending tangible form to thoughts. In this vein, ceramics could beconsidered a genuine manifestation of mind.
Continuing in this rich vein, Shahpour Pouyan's ceramic pieces function as "sculptures ofthoughts." Among the works showcased in this exhibition, pieces like "Cross Maze" and"Maze Tower" delve into the intriguing question of how light navigates internal space.
With deft craftsmanship, Pouyan has ingeniously incorporated a concealed maze structure
within the architectural form. In the artist's envisioned scenario, external light entersthrough a small window and embarks on a journey through this hidden labyrinth. As ametaphor of the post-truth age, Pouyan sees how light disappears in the “black box” justlike how reality is lost in the labyrinth of politics. Cyclopes are one-eyed giants fromancient Greek mythology. Pouyan's new series, which features a small window,

represents a cyclops to him: observing the outer world yet lost in doubts.
It's worth noting that, for the first time, Pouyan integrates mirrors and custom-built plinths
into his sculptures. The mirror serves a multifaceted role: it offers viewers a glimpse into
the concealed maze while amplifying the sense of depth and illusion. Complemented byunique plinths tailored for each individual work, the sculptures defy their role as mere
pieces on a conventional stand. They actively interact with the surrounding space,transforming our perception of the space.
Beyond the intellectual depth of his pieces, Pouyan's work is notable for its virtuosity andinnovative use of ceramics. His meticulous craftsmanship, the result of extensive
experimentation and in-depth research on material, form, and color, makes each piece avisual delight. Pouyan seeks to breathe new life into historic elements within thecontemporary ceramic world. For example, the glazed drips and stains featured in hiswork are inspired by techniques and styles prevalent in 12th-century Kashan, Iran.
In contrast to the artist’s main works, which often engage with political issues, “The FirstBrick” stands out as an inviting piece, full of latent possibilities. Architectural elements
are the central visual motif and language in Pouyan’s work, given their intersection withhistory, society, power, culture and solid factors. The humble brick or the simple clay
structure was commonly used for the first man-built home in different civilizations. It isin fact the foundation of relationships and societal frameworks. Shapour Pouyan recalls
this historical meaning of clay by creating “The First Brick” and inviting collectors torequest extensions to this initial piece.
In addition to the ceramic sculptures, the exhibition also features an 'erased' painting that
depicts a historical rock carving in Iran, representing a potent king and politicians from1,800 years ago. Meticulously detailed, the drawing was deliberately erased uponcompletion. This act highlights the transient nature of political authority and fleeting
human impact, leaving only faint traces on the blank paper.
Marking Shahpour Pouyan's debut exhibition in Japan, this show will also feature
selections of the artist's ceramics and paintings from other ongoing series. Additional
information will be available on-site. We are looking forward to your visit.

Sticky Dome (2022), ceramic, 34 x 30 x 22 cm

Cross Maze (2022), ceramic, 28.5 x 28.5 x 10.5 cm

Green Tower (2022), ceramic, 19 x 19 x 38 cm

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