GALLERY NAT

In the context of international contemporary art, the tension between “reality” and “illusion” remains ever-present. Reality is often understood as something tangible and verifiable, while illusion emerges from perception, memory, and imagination, constructing another dimension of existence. Indeed, the power of art lies precisely in unveiling this tension, reminding us that so-called reality is never absolute but is constantly being constructed and questioned. Real Illusions — 2025 London Contemporary Art Review Exhibition unfolds from this reflection. Taking London as its focal point, it brings together artists from diverse cultural and social backgrounds worldwide, employing painting, photography, installation, moving image, digital art, and AI-generated art to explore the shifting boundaries between “realness” and “virtuality” in contemporary society.

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In an era of rapid digitalization and virtualization, our perceptual experiences are continuously reshaped by technology. Is the reality we believe in still stable, or has illusion become an essential pathway to understanding both the world and the self? The participating works are not only individual expressions but also philosophical responses to the artists’ respective cultural and social contexts. They mirror the complex realities born from the intersection of technology, media, and humanistic concerns.

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As an international juried exhibition with a competitive nature, this event emphasizes not only innovation in form and language but also the coexistence of intellectual depth and cultural breadth. The inclusion of a review and selection mechanism ensures that the exhibition balances academic rigor with openness. It becomes both a re-examination of contemporary art and a catalyst for dialogue and collision across different cultural contexts.

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“Real Illusions” is not a conclusion but a continual inquiry. May the latest works of the artists—through recognition, awards, and global dissemination across media—enable audiences of different generations to encounter, through both viewing and reflection, the multiple insights that art brings to philosophy, society, and the future.