“Peaceable Kingdom” by Jun Takahashi at WKM Gallery

Jun Takahashi’s first exhibition outside of Japan blends the uncanny and the fantastical into a series of paintings reminiscent of surrealist photography and the paintings of Magritte. Founder of the iconic subculture brand UNDERCOVER, Takahashi has, over the past three years, expanded his creative focus to painting. His work explores a system of references and a conceptual universe that mirrors his collections—from the American eeriness of David Lynch to the irreverent attitude he’s embodied since his brand’s inception. The portraits in his series “Peaceable Kingdom” are inspired by the music and poetry of Patti Smith, and reflect on human suffering and resilience. In Takahashi’s paintings, time is suspended within a post-futuristic surrealism, where ethereal forms capture both the fragility and endurance of peace amid chaos. 

WKM Gallery

20/F, Coda Designer Centre, 

62 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, 

Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

On view until December 14th, 2024.

Text by Aleph Molinari