Teiji Hayama

<Transition> Exhibition Poster

In an era of constant digital connectivity, how do we define ourselves? Teiji Hayama captures the shifting nature of identity and emotions in modern society through his distinctive paintings. The figures in Hayama’s works exude a ghostly, dreamlike presence, blurring the lines between reality and virtuality while posing profound questions to the viewer.
The Transition exhibition presents a new series of paintings by the artist. Geometrically fragmented blocks symbolize the fragmentation of individual identity, while figures appearing disjointed and fatigued from social media consumption visually manifest the inner tension and disconnection of contemporary life.

Green Woman, 2025, Oil on canvas, 55 x 48 cm 

Hayama’s creative process begins with extensive research and intuitive exploration. He meticulously collects a vast archive of images, which serve as the foundation for composing his portraits, carefully adjusting form and balance. Once the composition is refined, he takes up the brush and begins the oil painting process. By layering color and texture, he imbues the canvas with depth and vitality, extending his unique method that bridges the digital and the analog. This process parallels the way modern life is continuously reconstructed between digital imagery and reality.

Test Card Elvis, 63x53cm

The characters in Hayama’s works possess the hues and textures of old television screens, as if emerging from a bygone era. He borrows elements that evoke a sense of nostalgia, yet his focus lies in examining how they collide with the present. His work transcends simple retro aesthetics, dismantling the boundaries between past and present, reality and illusion, in an ongoing exploration of existence.

“We live in a world dominated by technology, where individuals are being pulled in countless directions, gradually losing their sense of self.”

The Transition exhibition invites us to reflect on how we navigate this era of rapid change. In the digital age, a portrait is no longer just an image—it becomes a record of our anxieties, obsessions, and isolation. As the world shifts at an unprecedented pace, what are we losing sight of, and what must we remember? Hayama’s work offers a compelling response to these pressing questions.
His works are part of esteemed collections, including those of Jean Pigozzi, the Al Thani family (Qatar), the Taittinger Collection, and KAWS.

SH GALLERY
17 Apgujeong-ro 46-gil Gangnam-gu,Seoul 
02-6205-1610

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