This exhibition brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists spanning different generations and practices: post-war Japanese artist Tsuyoshi Maekawa (b. 1936), celebrated painter Tetsuo Mizù (1944 - 2025), contemporary duo Julie & Jesse (established 2012), and emerging talent Kohei Kyomori (b. 1985) — whose practices challenge traditional boundaries through a vibrant expression of contour and composition.

Founded in Tokyo in 1967, Whitestone Gallery has always believed in the essential power of art: the power to breathe life into spaces and to connect people across time and culture. Our strategic relocation to Wong Chuk Hang, an area once known as an industrial district that has transformed into a thriving hub of creativity with numerous galleries and studios, will enable us to offer a more dynamic programme and foster cross-cultural dialogues with a new breath.

“We are relocating our Hong Kong base to Wong Chuk Hang — an area that symbolizes the dynamism of the local art scene,” said Koei Shiraishi, CEO of Whitestone Gallery. “We are building a space with a new heartbeat. From avant-garde practices rooted in the spirit of the Gutai Art Association to innovative expressions by international artists, cross-cultural dialogue will emerge. We look forward to welcoming you to this new space.”

The soft opening exhibition “Contours of Expression” aims to celebrate how lines and shapes, as fundamental elements of artistic expressions, reflect each artists' unique approach.

Julie & Jesse is a creative duo renowned for their investigative approach to found objects from Hong Kong and Jingdezhen. Through experimentation, they transform ceramic shards into new art forms. Rooted in curiosity, they reject the predetermined functionality imposed by societal or cultural norms, redefining these materials with fresh purpose. By distilling individuality and origin into each object, their works become a poetic testament to exceptional craftsmanship.

Tsuyoshi Maekawa's unique approach to fabrics has made himself distinguishable in the Gutai group. Since the late 1950s, he has concentrated on lines, shapes and materials, primarily using burlap as his medium. His process involves laying linen cloth flat on the canvas, applying oil paint and employing techniques such as rubbing and sewing threads to create tactile, dynamic compositions. As a second-generation Gutai artist, Maekawa pioneers the exploration of the relationship between artwork, space, and viewers.

Tetsuo Mizù's maritime signal flags as a motif makes his abstract paintings feel tangible. Characterized by primary colors and checkerboard-like compositions, his works appear deceptively simple yet transcend their geometric structure, conveying a subtle melancholy that mirrors the artist's internal states and consciousness. Through a rhythmic interplay of lines, colors, flattened textures, Mizù enhances the visual experience, evoking themes of communication, solitude, and reflection.

Kohei Kyomorihas consistently explored the culture of decoration within social and historical contexts, examining the new values of visual culture. He has developed various series that expand his contemplation of decoration, and its role in fostering connections with worship and authority. This exhibition will showcase his classic M Series, featuring portraits, alongside the S series, which utilizes ink brushstrokes and resin paint to create new value within the ornamental structure he envisions.