Greenwood Cemetery (cropped), NYC, 2022, Archival Pigment Print, 40”x54”

Memento Mori:
The Approachable Shining Stars

Ming-Jer Kuo

June 3 - 22, 2022

Opening Reception: Friday, June 3, 6-9pm

NARS Project Space

On June 22, please join us for an artist talk with Ming-Jer Kuo in conversation with Rowan Renee, at 6:30pm in the NARS Project Space. Click here for more info.

NARS Foundation is pleased to present Memento Mori: The Approachable Shining Stars, a long-term project by Ming-Jer Kuo, focusing on the cemeteries of New York City. The series is an exploration of negative space within an urban area. Viewing and then abstracting tombstones in some of NYC’s mass graveyards, as seen from the viewpoint of the heavens, results in images that are intended to mimic astronomical photographs as they reflect the territory of death. The work is also meant to feature an often unnoticed aspect of the metropolitan life while, at the same time, emphasizing gigantic area of urban space occupied by the living.

Ming-Jer Kuo (born in Taipei, Taiwan) is a New York-based artist. He had worked as an environmental engineer for eleven years and came to New York for art. Kuo graduated from MFA Photography, Video and Related Media at School of Visual Arts. He is a recipient of NYFA New York Foundation for the Arts Artist Fellowship in NYC, a member of The Elizabeth Foundation for The Arts Studio Program in NYC, a recipient of Paula Rhodes Award for Exceptional Achievement in NYC, and was awarded as Honorable Mention of Taoyuan Creation Award in Taiwan. Kuo’s work has been exhibited in solo and group shows of EFA 20|20 Gallery in NYC, Gallery Sejul in Seoul, Chashama Space in NYC, QCC Art Gallery in NYC, NARS Foundation in NYC, Gallery 456 in NYC, Gallery Aferro in Newark, NJ, New York Hall of Science in NYC, Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art in NYC and The 2 Gateway Center Gallery in Newark, NJ.

www.mingjerkuo.com