IDENTITY CRISIS

MutualArt

While we appreciate his incredible imagination, the combination of characters somehow echoes with our everyday lives - the real- life social role-playing, especially when we put on the face masks.

Streams Gallery is an up-and-coming art space in Hong Kong which uncovers new artists, art forms and stories behind. We are excited to present the first solo exhibition, ‘Identity Crisis’ for Clarence Ruth, an extremely talented New York-based artist, creative director, fashion designer and author. The artist will illustrate the change in moderners’ identities and emotions through his iconic character and painting style.

The pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, and Clarence Ruth constantly draws inspiration from that. In May 2020, Oreo the character, created by Clarence Ruth, made its first appearance in a very contemporary way, by having a new Instagram account. Just like every one of us, Oreo shows a very pleasant smile on social media, with the eye-catching red lips. However, it is also attempting to tell us that there is much more depth behind the smiling face.

In the past two years, through Oreo the character, Clarence Ruth demonstrated his creativity in many different ways. For example, he collaged the signature smile with the portrait of his muses, such as Picasso and Basquiat; he also painted Oreo on canvas, skateboards, and wooden sculptures. While for this exhibition, we will put the spotlight on the multiple identity nature of Oreo.

Very much similar to Clarence Ruth, Oreo the character is a slasher. From time to time, he turns into Snoopy, Astro Boy, Kermit, Cookie Monster etc. While we appreciate his incredible imagination, the combination of characters somehow echoes with our everyday lives - the real- life social role-playing, especially when we put on the face masks.

Identity Crisis Exhibition is on view from June 4th, 2022 to June 26th in gallery with Streams Gallery.

Art Central

A sneak peak of Clarence Ruth’s Identity Crisis Exhibition was on veiw at Art Central Hong Kong from May 26th, 2022 to May 29th at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.