To mark its 10th anniversary, VILLAZAN presents a special exhibition at ART OnO Fair 2025, paying tribute to the movement that shaped its earliest identity: Cuteism. Founded in 2015, the gallery emerged with a bold curatorial vision, embracing an aesthetic of tenderness, imagination, and sincerity in contrast to the dominant trends of conceptual distance and detachment. Cuteism, for VILLAZAN, was never a passing style; it was a position. A belief in the emotional depth of play, the radical potential of softness, and the enduring strength of childlike wonder.

By bringing together four artists, the gallery revisits the essence of Cuteism through fresh, international perspectives that continue to evolve the movement in new and resonant directions.

Ten years later, this exhibition is both a look back and a statement of purpose. By bringing together four artists (Edgar Plans, Suntur, Yang Hyun Jun, and Mane), the gallery revisits the essence of Cuteism through fresh, international perspectives that continue to evolve the movement in new and resonant directions.

Edgar Plans (Spain) is one of the most recognisable figures of the movement, known for his energetic characters and socially engaged narratives. His work channels childlike spontaneity into powerful reflections on justice, resilience, and imagination.

Suntur (Thailand) brings a poetic stillness to Cuteism. His minimalist compositions evoke introspection, memory, and emotional subtlety, proving that simplicity can carry profound depth.

Yang Hyun Jun (South Korea) infuses the movement with psychological intensity and cultural memory. His figures, often young girls, explore the fragile space between innocence and existential reflection.

Mane (South Korea) constructs dreamlike worlds drawn from childhood, literature, and inner life. His paintings invite viewers to rediscover the power of stories and the quiet magic of introspection.

Their practices span continents and disciplines, but they are united by a shared sensitivity

Their practices span continents and disciplines, but they are united by a shared sensitivity: a belief in the emotional force of art, in its ability to connect, to comfort, and to question. Whether through raw spontaneity, minimalist introspection, surreal narratives, or symbolic figuration, each artist contributes to a vision of Cuteism.

Though our curatorial vision has since evolved in new directions, this special presentation serves as a tribute to the spirit that first set us in motion.

With this year’s program at ART OnO, we honor our origins, not by returning to them, but by recognizing their role in shaping who we are today. Cuteism was the foundation upon which VILLAZAN was built, a movement that defined our early years with its sincerity, emotional depth, and bold visual language. Though our curatorial vision has since evolved in new directions, this special presentation serves as a tribute to the spirit that first set us in motion.