Sorayama’s Future Has Arrived in Shenzhen

In the 1970s, legendary artist Hajime Sorayama began painting a chrome-plated future. Today, that vision has taken physical form in the heart of Shenzhen. The landmark exhibition “Hajime Sorayama: Light, Reflection, Transparency” is now open at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MOCAUP), offering more than a retrospective—it offers a mirror to the soul of the city itself. 

The exhibition is the first major solo showcase in South China for the artist known globally as the father of “Sexy Robot” aesthetics. It presents over 80 works spanning nearly half a century, from early hyper realistic paintings to the iconic sculptures that have influenced film, fashion, and design. But what makes this display truly significant is not just its scale—it’s its timing. 

（Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

（Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

Sorayama’s work has long explored the fusion of human form and machine precision, creating a visual language that feels both futuristic and eerily familiar. Now, in a city defined by innovation and youth, his art takes on new resonance. As explained by Mr. YAN Wei Xin, the Director and Curator of the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MOCAUP), the exhibition is a deliberate reflection on imagination in the age of AI. “Technology is a tool that turns people’s imagination into reality,” they noted, framing Sorayama not as a nostalgic figure, but as a visionary whose once-fictional creations now echo in our daily reality. 

Mr. YAN Wei Xin, the Director and Curator of the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MOCAUP) （Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

At the heart of Sorayama’s practice is a masterful deception: creating the illusion of light, air, and chrome using only paint. Curator Shinji Nanzuka, who has championed Sorayama’s recognition as a contemporary artist since 2009, emphasizes this technical philosophy. “His challenge is to trick people,” Nanzuka explains. “He uses only a few basic colors to make you see shiny metal. That’s what ‘reflection’ means in his work—it’s an art of perception.” 

（Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

This meticulous approach is showcased in a display designed purely for visual immersion. The exhibition breaks from traditional chronology, with the layout completely reimagined for MOCAUP’s architectural space. Visitors can experience highlights such as the mirrored infinity room and the monumental 12-meter-tall Sexy Robot stationed outside—a new symbol for the museum’s plaza. 

（Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

For Mr. Shinji NANZUKA founder of Nanzuka Art Institute and curator of the Shenzhen exhibition, Shenzhen was the inevitable choice. “Shenzhen represents big diversity and is an ultra-modern, high-tech place, with many young people here,” he states. The city isn’t just a venue; it’s the living context for Sorayama’s work. MOCAUP’s leadership echoes this sentiment, seeing the exhibition as part of their core mission to explore the spiral of art and technology—what they describe as “like the double helix of DNA, or the left and right brain of humanity.” 

Mr. Shinji NANZUKA founder of Nanzuka Art Institute and curator of the Shenzhen exhibition: “Hajime Sorayama: Light, Reflection, Transparency” （Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

Behind the scenes, the exhibition also represents an innovative step in museum practice. Supported through a pioneering partnership with Tmall, it reflects a growing shift toward collaborative funding models that connect cultural institutions with commercial and technological partners. This approach has not only made the ambitious display possible but also signals a sustainable path forward for large-scale artistic projects in Shenzhen. 

（Photo Credit: YUTER/J.W) 

About MOCAUP 

MOCAUP remains committed to engaging in contemporary art and cultural development through a global perspective, creating an open, international platform for artistic exchange. This exhibition is not only an artistic feast but also a significant endeavor in deeply integrating technological aesthetics with art. Early bird tickets are now available. Let’s collectively anticipate the global mechanical aesthetic experience Sorayama brings to Shenzhen, and let the city gleam in the future light of metal and shadow. 

About Hajime Sorayama 

Hajime Sorayama has established himself as a legendary artist, both within Japan and internationally, for his extensive oeuvre centered on the ongoing pursuit of beauty regarding the human body and the machine. 

His signature body of work, the "Sexy Robot" series (1978–), integrates the aesthetic beauty of the female body with the context of the robot. This series has significantly influenced the development of robotic imagery. Notable examples of Sorayama’s influence include the designs for Paul Verhoeven’s celebrated film RoboCop and Thierry Mugler’s 1995 fashion collection. 

Sorayama has continued to receive high international acclaim for his many projects, such as collaborating with Sony on the concept design for their entertainment robot AIBO in 1999, providing artwork for the cover of Aerosmith’s 2001 album Just Push Play, and working with designer Kim Jones on the 2018 Dior Men collection. In 2023, Sorayama also collaborated with The Weeknd and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. 

In addition to his works being housed in the permanent collections of museums including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and M+ in Hong Kong, Sorayama has exhibited widely in numerous prestigious exhibitions worldwide, such as Unorthodox (The Jewish Museum, New York, 2015), Desire (Larry Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch, Miami, 2016), The Universe and Art (Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2016 / Art Science Museum, Singapore, 2017), Cool Japan(Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, 2018), and Post Human (Jeffrey Deitch, LA, 2024). 

By APRILIO Sanderz Dale 

Experience the breathtaking work of Hajime Sorayama, including the iconic “Sexy Robots," immersive mirrored infinity rooms, and the stunning 12-meter sculpture that’s redefining Shenzhen’s skyline. 

Dates: 10 December 2025 - 11 January 2026  

Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 

Location: MOCAUP, Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning 

Tickets: From 79 HKD 

Plan your visit today—whether you’re an art lover, tech enthusiast, or just seeking an unforgettable experience! Reserve your tickets at: yuterwellness.com/en/activities/hajime-sorayama-light-reflection-transparency-