WKM Gallery and BELOWGROUND are thrilled to present “EDIT,” Japanese contemporary artist TIDE’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. Spanning two iconic locations, the exhibition will be held at:
• Exclusive preview and showcase at BELOWGROUND from January 15 to 31, 2026
• Main exhibition at WKM Gallery from January 17 to March 7 2026.
At WKM Gallery, “EDIT” unveils a new series of monochromatic paintings centered on TIDE’s signature cat character, a tender vessel for exploring domestic life, familial bonds, childhood innocence, and the evolving awareness of time.
The presentation expands to BELOWGROUND with an exclusive showcase opening two days earlier, featuring an ambitious 2 meter canvas alongside a series of new paintings. This will be complemented by a special release of limited-edition print and bronze sculpture, created specially for the exhibition and available for purchase exclusively at BELOWGROUND starting January 15.
Born in 1984, TIDE first began teaching himself how to paint while traveling abroad in Australia in his early 20s, inspired by the work of the popular manga artist and historian Shigeru Mizuki. Drawing additional inspiration from animations of the 30s to 50s, scenes from old Hollywood movies, manga magazines, art history, and everyday scenes, TIDE has developed a graphic style that appears deceptively simple at first glance, but touches upon nuanced themes of nostalgia, childhood, and care.
The artist initially found the inspiration for his cat character in his daughter’s stuffed animal, and his paternal gaze shines through in his affectionate depictions of naive curiosity—multiple paintings portray the round-eyed cat peering at flowers with shining eyes, while PANSY and PAW depicts a single adventurous paw stepping into a field of flowers. The tulip emerges as a new motif across several works—perhaps a new discovery that has captivated our curious cat. A symbol of unconditional love and rebirth, the tulips grow quietly alongside our protagonist, a sign of a blissful present that hints toward a hopeful future. Vivid flashes of red tulip petals are the exhibition’s sole moments of color, punctuating the otherwise monochromatic palette with pulses of life. The pitch black backgrounds in many of these works do not seem threatening or empty, but instead communicate a sort of purity and comforting presence, like the warmth of a dark summer night.
Innocence is not so straightforward a subject, however, and the exhibition at WKM Gallery sheds light on its evolution over the passing of time. It is portrayed with a twist of particularly wistful irony in Bone, Dog as a small puppy looks up at a large bone towering ominously over its head, perhaps excitedly waiting for a game of fetch, unaware yet of the concept of death. Somber depictions of cat skulls also appear within the exhibition, providing a solemn contrast to the youthful wonder depicted in other works. An evolving understanding of time and the nature of life and death has become more palpable within this series of works.
The exhibition title, “EDIT,” also refers to the element of time in the artist’s new approach to painting; instead of his previous quick immediacy, he revisited each canvas over extended durations, repeatedly erasing and overdrawing to construct a quiet, hidden history. Though the surfaces remain smooth, the works reveal an atmospheric depth beyond his earlier style. Each painting becomes a record of patience and revision, inviting the viewer to perceive within its layers the passage of time.
The exhibition also introduces a new direction in the artist’s practice through works depicting multiple characters. The sudden reemergence of the small puppy, a character the artist created several years ago, seems to push the cat into a more adult role as a protector. In previous works, the cat was often depicted tangled up in blankets in bed or on a couch—an activity it seems to continue enjoying in this exhibition as well– but this time it has also ventured outside of the house and encountered others like itself. The show at BELOWGROUND offers us snapshots of the cat’s life between moments of solitude and play, as it learns to step out into the world to meet others.
“EDIT” captures the shift from shelter to exposure; the journey from curiosity towards knowledge. Through lines and silhouettes, TIDE’s works capture moments of care, responsibility, and vulnerability as childhood wonder meets the outside world. The exhibition invites viewers to linger in that fragile in-between moment, where tenderness and gravity coexist.
