GALLERY

Hideyuki Oba

“Chocolate Dreams”

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2004Excellence Award

ARTIST STATEMENT

Chocolate Dreams

My work consists of a mixture of two parts, controllable and uncontrollable. The boundary between the two is difficult to tell, because it has melted down; Chocolate Dreams. Now here is the world where I live. In order to present this world with realism, I use chocolate. First, I choose an object, and pour chocolate on it daringly, cautiously, violently, or carefully. When it runs out, I melt more chocolate, and pour it on the object, thinking of Jackson Pollock on and off. Covered with muddy chocolate, the world comes to show itself. I call these works paintings of chocolate expressionism.
It is difficult to interpret one's own work. All that is certain is that here is chocolate. And that represents the world that I see and feel. To express it, chocolate is a must; sweet, slightly bitter, and it melts away in one's mouth. And it has a taste of elegance. Its character changes, melts or hardens, through temperature. It doesn't last long, and goes bad as time passes. All the qualities and images that chocolate has are important. I think that this work is like a map for me to make sure where I am now in the world.

Selecting judge: Fumio Nanjo

This work has an impact. The fancy chocolate material presents a dirty, muddy situation. The concept is clear-cut. The size plays a part of the concept. If it had been smaller, it would not have been awarded. As the details are broadened, the meaning expands. The theme of war instruments is a good idea. I can feel its ironies, and it shows that even this kind of work can be journalistic. The color and purity of the background are also good. Its dignity as bizaar and fancy is relevant to the times. This is a quality artwork.

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PROFILE

Hideyuki Oba

1961Born in Hokkaido
1985Graduated from the Department of Image Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University 1985: Joined Dentsu, Inc.
2004Graduated from Kyoto University of Art and Design Currently working for Dentsu, Inc.

Solo and Group Exhibitions

2004, Feb.“Chocolate Dreams,” Prinz 2F Gallery, Kyoto
2004, March “Kyoto University of Art and Design, graduation production exhibition,” D's gallery, Kyoto
2004, July“Stars Dancing out of the Chaos 2004,” Spiral Garden, Tokyo
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2004Excellence Award

Hideyuki Oba

Chocolate Dreams

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