Fernando Casasempere is Chilean artist based in London. His work is known as sculpture that pursues the possibilities of the ceramic medium: beautiful and organic forms, flowing marble patterns, and sculptures with cracks and hollows. Growing up in Santiago and being absorbed by its pre-Colombian art, craft, and archaeological remains, Casasempere has re-interpreted Land Art in the context of contemporary art, and has attempted to develop a new form of sculpture. He is also strongly concerned with environmental issues and has made large-scale, outdoor installations taking inspiration from Latin American landscapes such as those of north Chile. Based on his profound knowledge of nature, ecological systems, and geography, his work has associations with Land Art such as the work of Robert Smithson and Richard Long. Life in a foreign country for 20 years has had a large impact on his practice as well. Casasempere states as follows: “Being in a open environment such as the UK, I have been able to see Latin American art or aspects more artistic from multiple points of view, and my curiosity and interest towards my own work has increased.”
This is the Casasempere’s first solo exhibition in Japan and features large scale sculpture with a group of ceramic pieces. The artist has created multiple small elements that the artist calls “bones”, as well as a work of re-composed fragments that are left behind after paring off other works. Even though he is working in London, Casasempere uses clay from his Chilean homeland. A large exporter of copper, Chile has many ruined mines that are causing serious environmental destruction. These works, created with clay that has been discarded after mining, thus have a special density and presence. This is his first exhibition in 25 years in Japan since his work was included in “CHILE TODAY” at Hara Museum ARC in 1992.

Fernando Casasempere was born in Santiago in 1958. He studied ceramic and sculpture in Barcelona in the 1980s, and returned to Chile in 1986. After moving to London in 1997 he has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide, such as “Falla Ideologico” (Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, 2012). In his solo exhibition “Out of Sync”, held in conjunction with the London Olympics in 2012, he exhibited approximately 10,000 clay flowers in the courtyard of Somerset House and received wide acclaim. He also held a solo exhibition “Mi Andadura” at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Santiago last year. His work is included in the public collections of institutions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Harvard Art Museums and others.
Casasempere is also holding a concurrent solo exhibition at POST, a bookshop in Ebisu from March 11 to April 2nd.


“Fernando Casasempere”
Venue: POST　2-10-3, Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0022
Date: March 11 - April 2, 2017 12pm-20-pm, Closed on Monday
*Opening reception: Saturday, March 11, 6pm-8pm
At POST Casasempere will present test pieces from production and small works of colliding porcelain blocks named “Tectonic Plates”, along with his artist book “RELAVE”.

Information Provided by: Tomio Koyama Gallery

Period: March 10,2017 (Fri)　〜 April 3,2017 (Mon)
Hours: 11am - 8pm
Closed: Open everyday during the exhibition
Venue: 8/ ART GALLERY/ Tomio Koyama Gallery