A Pioneer of Minimalist Expression, Stripped of All Redundancy

Born in London, UK, in 1969, Steve McQueen is a globally acclaimed visual artist and filmmaker based in London and Amsterdam.



Citing Derek Jarman, Bruce Nauman, and Richard Serra as influences, his style can be described in a word: minimalist art, stripped of all excess. Like those who came before him, his strength lies in his broad expressive range, extending beyond just film. Installations, sculptures, photography – he communicates what he sees, feels, and discovers to the audience through various media. Yet, the final form remains neutral, reflecting events and facts as they are, much like a reportage.

This approach to his work has remained consistent even as he moved into feature films. The difference, perhaps, is that while maintaining the neutral perspective seen in his short films, he has added narrative structure and storytelling elements. 'HUNGER,' based on the hunger strike protest by an inmate; 'SHAME -シェイム-', depicting the struggles of a man battling sex addiction; and 'SHAME -シェイム-'and '12 Years a Slave,' which chronicles the extraordinary fate of a man born free but forced into slavery for twelve years. '12 Years a Slave'All three of his feature films showcase a delicate, minimalist sensibility, stripped down to the bare essentials.

'If you think about it, feature films are like novels, and art is like poetry. Films, like novels, are familiar to everyone. But art is not. Of course, just as novels and poetry are inseparable, the two often intersect, but I approach them differently, keeping those conceptual differences in mind.' McQueen explains. 'Poetry, strictly speaking, is different from narrative. Poetry is condensed, with no unnecessary elements. It can express a vast worldview within a single paragraph. It's different from a novel that uses 360 pages to complete a story. There's no rambling explanation. Poetry packs incredibly dense and profound content into just three lines. That's the overwhelming difference from a novel.'

A Comfortable 'Resonance' That Envelops the Viewer

This March, he became the first Black director to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Even after shifting his focus to filmmaking, the British visionary artist's triumphant run continues. His latest work, 'Ashes,' is a powerful masterpiece, skillfully blending elements of the novel (feature film) and poetry (art), something only he could create at this moment. It is on display at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo in Omotesando until Sunday, August 17th.

Located on the seventh floor of the Louis Vuitton Omotesando building, this space is known for its 'airy' feel, with sunlight pouring in through windows on three sides. Visitors expecting the usual stark white, clean gallery space will first be surprised by the dramatically altered environment, where the light is completely blocked out. After exiting the elevator and passing through a corridor, you enter a darkened room with a massive screen. As you approach, you realize it's a double-sided screen, projecting images on both the front and back. The black walls, which absorb light, seem like an installation in themselves.

Projected onto the double-sided screen is a Caribbean man with beautiful brown skin and a radiant smile. He is out at sea in a small boat under a brilliantly blue sky. Shot on Super 8 film, the grainy texture of the footage evokes a sense of nostalgia, as if you were there yourself. With the sound of waves crashing as background music, the blue sea and sky, the orange boat, the white swim trunks, and the brown skin that flood your vision—all of it creates a comfortable 'resonance' that envelops us.

Disrupting this harmony is a narration delivered in heavily accented English. A friend calmly recounts the tragedy of a young man who lost his life due to a petty theft. This 'young man' is, in fact, a youth known by the same name as the artwork: 'Ashes.' Thirteen years ago, McQueen, visiting Grenada for another project, was instantly captivated by the charismatic and beautiful young man, 'Ashes,' and captured his image on camera. Eight years later, the film crew returned to Grenada. But 'Ashes' was no longer there.

'Ashes' is based on a tragedy that occurred in the margins of society. The beautiful imagery and the sad true story unfolding behind it strike the heart with their vivid contrast. 'I want to depict facts that are not brought to the fore. Facts that people try to hide or turn away from. What I want to cherish is what art can do. There are newspapers, documentaries, and news programs in the world. But I believe art can convey information and perspectives in a different way.' McQueen states emphatically. We urge you to witness this work that embodies the potential of art with your own eyes.

'Steve McQueen Exhibition'
Dates | Until Sunday, August 17
Hours | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue | Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo
5-7-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Louis Vuitton Omotesando Building, 7F
Tel. 03-5766-1094
Admission | Free
http://www.espacelouisvuittontokyo.com

Steve McQueen
Born in London in 1969, Steve McQueen is one of the most outstanding artists and filmmakers of his generation. His works are held in the collections of major museums worldwide, including the Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. In 1999, he received the prestigious Turner Prize, and in 2009, he represented the UK at the Venice Biennale. His directorial debut, 'HUNGER,' won the Camera d'Or for best first feature film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. His third film, '12 Years a Slave,' received two BAFTA Awards and three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 2014. Recognized for his contributions to visual arts, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011. Steve McQueen is currently based in Amsterdam.