Guim Tió's debut LA solo show references 11th-century Japanese text
Pillow Paintings, the inaugural solo exhibition by Guim Tió, is being showcased at François Ghebaly's Los Angeles gallery. The painter from Barcelona delves into themes of memory and perception, depicting figures either turned away or lost within grand landscapes. Utilizing oil and colored pencil, Tió guides the audience through emotionally charged spaces where sentiments are intricately woven into the surroundings. His works were inspired by Sei Shōnagon’s Pillow Book, an 11th-century account of court life during Japan’s Heian period. Despite their differing eras, both Shōnagon and Tió exhibit a keen awareness of the beauty found in fleeting moments, subtle gestures, and transient views. Shōnagon's text largely features lists, including "Elegant Things" and "Things That Should Be Short."
Key facts
- François Ghebaly presents Pillow Paintings, Guim Tió’s debut solo exhibition at the Los Angeles gallery.
- Barcelona-based painter Guim Tió explores memory and perception in his signature portraits of figures turned away or adrift in imposing landscapes.
- Tió works primarily in oil and colored pencil.
- The paintings in Pillow Paintings were created in dialogue with the artist’s reading of Sei Shōnagon’s Pillow Book.
- Sei Shōnagon’s Pillow Book is an 11th-century text recording courtly life during the Heian period in Japan.
- Shōnagon and Tió share a sensitivity to the poetry embedded in small moments, intimate gestures, and vistas briefly glimpsed.
- Shōnagon’s Pillow Book consists largely of lists (of likes, dislikes, “Elegant Things,” “Things That Should Be Short,” etcetera).
Entities
Artists
- Guim Tió
- Sei Shōnagon
Institutions
- François Ghebaly
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Barcelona
- Japan