FOLON: Agency of Imaginary Journeys at TOKYO STATION GALLERY

Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) is one of Belgium’s most important artists from the late 20th century. His retrospective exhibition, “FOLON: Agency of Imaginary Journeys,” is now held at Tokyo Station Gallery. This is his first exhibition in Japan in 30 years. Folon’s works look fantastical and contain many of his personal thoughts and messages when you take a closer look. They act like “guides,” leading our imagination in different directions. Come and explore Folon’s unique world through his art!

His thoughts in a fantastical painting style

Folon’s artworks, including a mysterious character called “Little Hat Man,” are painted with soft colors and skillful gradations that are pleasing to the eye. However, if we look closely, we can see arrows that represent his emotional struggles. We can also see the various ideas in his mind, like ecology, war, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the universe, birds, and more.
This exhibition shows not only Folon’s drawings, sculptures, and photographs but also his posters and advertisements. This lets us get to know the wide range of his work and the depth of his thoughts.

Take Imaginary Journeys and Find Clues to a Better Life

As noted in the “Greeting” at the entrance of the exhibition, Folon called himself an “Agency of Imaginary Journeys.” Through his work, he wanted to take people on a journey of freedom through time and space. He believed that with the power of imagination, we could travel anywhere, even into space.
When we look at Folon’s artworks, our imagination is sparked, and we start to think about real-life issues like the environment, war, and human rights. Folon’s imaginary journeys are not just fantasies; they help us find clues to live better lives.

The following is a quote from the press release:

Exhibition Overview

Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) is one of Belgium’s leading artists of the late 20th century.　Impressed by a mural by Magritte that he happened to encounter in his youth, Folon was drawn to the world of painting and spent his days drawing in the suburbs of Paris, where he moved in 1955. He sent some of his works to publishers in America, and soon they were to be printed on the covers of prestigious magazines such as The New Yorker and Time in the early 1960s. Since then, he has been highly acclaimed worldwide, and has shown remarkable success, with solo exhibitions held at museums around the world.

At first glance, his colorful and poetic works appear beautiful and refreshing, however they contain hidden accusations against harsh realities such as environmental destruction and human rights issues, and at the same time convey feelings of loneliness and anxiety in the basso continuo.

This exhibition shows more than 230 works such as drawings from his early career, watercolour paintings, etchings, posters and sculptures of his later years. This is the first major retrospective exhibition in Japan in 30 years. At the time when we are facing major changes in society such as digitalisation, pandemic and war, this exhibition aims to focus on Folon’s art, who were highly aware of environmental and social issues, and protested against oppression, violence and discrimination throughout his career.

Highlights

1. The Magician of Colour

The great appeal of Folon’s works are the beauty of its colours. However, the number of colours used in a single piece is never large. By skillfully combining the limited numbers of colours and making full use of gradations and blurs, Folon creates the miraculously magnificent world.

2. The Master of Lines

The lines he drew were carefree and dynamic, however, they are so precise, as if they were predetermined and there is no sense of hesitation in the slightest.

3. The Mysterious Little Man in the Hat

The little man in the hat is a character you see often in Folon’s works. He plays the role of a companion of the main theme of this exhibition, imaginary journey, but who exactly is he? Folon said that the little man in the hat is someone who looks like Folon himself, but at the same time, he is nobody. Maybe the artist himself does not know who it is.

4. A Sweet Devil?

Folon’s works are approachable, refreshing and humorous which easily drags the viewer to its art world. But don’t let your guard down. Behind the sweetness, a quiet anger and harsh reality may be hidden.

5. Arrows and Labyrinths

Folon was obsessed with arrows. He would take photos whenever he saw them in a city and also drew them tremendously in his works. Pointing in all directions, where or what exactly are those many arrows pointing? If you follow them, it seems like you will end up in a labyrinth.

Sections

Prologue: The Journey Begins
Chapter 1: This Way, That Way, or Some Other Way?
Chapter 2: What Do You Hear?
Chapter 3: What Should We Talk About?
Epilogue: Where Do We Go from Here?

Title	FOLON: Agency of Imaginary Journeys
Period	Saturday, July 13 – Monday, September 23, 2024
Venue	TOKYO STATION GALLERY
Address	1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Official Website	https://www.ejrcf.or.jp/gallery/english/archive_202407_folon.html
Opening Hours	10:00 am to 6:00 pm (8:00 pm on Fridays) Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed	Mondays (except August 12, September 16, and September 23)
Online Ticket	* Tickets can be purchased from HERE * Also you can be purchased at the entrance on the first floor.
Admission	Adults: 1,500 yen High-school and University students: 1,300 yen Junior high-school students and younger: Free
Notes	* Children up to junior high school age are admitted free. * Persons with disability certificate or similar receive a 200 yen discount, and one accompanying helper is admitted free. * Students must present student ID upon entrance to the museum. * Those who qualify for free admission do not need to purchase tickets in advance.