Discover Teppei Miyake's Intriguing Solo Exhibition 'Beyond the Circle' at LURF GALLERY

Teppei Miyake's Solo Exhibition 'Beyond the Circle'

Starting July 3, 2026, LURF GALLERY in Shibuya, Tokyo, will host Teppei Miyake's captivating solo exhibition titled 'Beyond the Circle.' This exhibition examines the underlying time and historical narratives that shape our daily lives through the lens of geological layers and minerals.

Miyake's work delves into the coal seams of Iizuka City in Fukuoka Prefecture and the sand layers of central Chiba Prefecture. He aims to explore the convergence of natural processes occurring over extended timelines and human activities. Coal, formed millions of years ago from decaying plants, served as a vital resource during Japan's modernization. Meanwhile, the sand from Chiba has greatly transformed the landscape due to urban development driven by extraction practices. Miyake's artworks trace the historical significance of these materials, shedding light on the interwoven trajectories of time and land that underpin our present.

The exhibition title 'Beyond the Circle' signifies a commitment to engaging with aspects beyond our immediate recognition or awareness. In an age dominated by information, it encourages viewers to recognize time, history, and the existence of others that lie outside typical attentiveness, presenting an opportunity for renewed insights and discoveries. We invite visitors to immerse themselves in the intricate world of Miyake's artistic vision, where time and land coexist.

Exhibition Overview

- Exhibition: Teppei Miyake Solo Exhibition 'Beyond the Circle'
- Date: July 3 (Friday) - August 3 (Monday), 2026
- Venue: LURF GALLERY, 1st Floor
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Address: 28-13 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0033

Inquiries regarding the artworks can be made through the official website of LURF GALLERY.

Statement by Teppei Miyake

Miyake began to explore 'geological layers' through the creation of tombstones. The burial customs in Japan, shaped by the Edo period’s temple and altar system, have constructed a platform defining the existence of the deceased. However, shifts in religious perspectives and societal changes have prompted him to reconsider the representations of absence in contemporary Japan.

In his journey of creating tombstones, he confronted the reality of oblivion and acknowledged the countless nameless deceased whose existences fade into obscurity, a stark truth applicable to many of us. Identifying ways to confirm the presence of these hidden souls and attuning to the vast, unseen histories led him to the act of 'digging layers.'

James Hutton’s 1788 discovery of 'deep time' through the Siccar Point unconformity revealed a geological temporality that defies human concepts of the past. Yet, just like every sand grain possesses a unique history, geological layers exist as processes rather than mere results. Weathering represents transformation rather than obliteration.

As our bones are made from calcium derived from seas teeming with foraminifera, and the iron in our blood is forged from stellar explosions, we are literally constructed upon the bedrock of deep time. The beauty and solace found in geological layers resonate with our short-lived experiences, allowing us to connect with ourselves beyond the concept of loss within vast temporal realms. Digging beneath our feet reveals the undeniable presence of time and existence below.

- Teppei Miyake

Featured Works

- Sand Vessel (2025) - Geological layer (Iishuku layer), Polyester resin, putty, urethane coating, UV-cut clear; Dimensions: W49 x H46 x D36.5 cm
- Mining (2025-2026) - Geological layer (Coal seam), Epoxy resin, UV-cut clear; Dimensions: W32 x H15 x D25 cm