Long before social media, On Kawara used the advanced communication tools of his time—postcards, telegrams, and calendars and CD to mark his presence and connect with others, bridging the personal and universal. In the early 1960s, he emigrated from Japan to Mexico, then to the US. His relentless voyages across continents are inscribed in uniquely distinguished forms, highlighted by his singularly schematic Date painting. These works redefine our perceptions of time and existence. His work transcends the fleeting nature of modern communication, reminding us of the value of authenticity and intentionality in how we record and share our lives.  

Kawara stands as a pivotal figure in conceptual art. His practice centered on the constant negotiation between self-imposed rules of creative practices and real-life experiences—particularly the tension between rules and freedom. He was a pioneer who transformed the mundane into profound meditations on time, presence, and existence. His work transcended cultural and geographical boundaries, offering a quiet yet universal reflection on the human condition.

Rule of Freedom, Freedom of Rules is the first institutional solo presentation of On Kawara’s work in Asia and the first since his passing in 2014. This landmark exhibition presents his most iconic series spanning five decades, with a special section focusing on his trip to Hong Kong. The exhibition reflects on Kawara as both a global citizen and an artist-philosopher who bridged divides between the everyday and the metaphysical, simplicity and complexity, the present and the eternal, and ultimately, life and death. His work, minimal in appearance yet rich in meaning, captures the paradox of stability within the flux of his nomadic lifestyle, widely shared by artists in a globalized world today. 

This exhibition is part of Tai Kwun Contemporary’s series of major summer exhibitions spotlighting pioneering artists of our time.