On View: October 3, 2026 – January 17, 2027
Opening reception: October 3, 2026, 5-8PM
Since 2007, Chinese-American artist Pixy Liao (廖逸君) has collaborated with her partner, Japanese-born artist and musician Takahiro Morooka (諸岡高裕), known as Moro, on an ongoing series of staged self-portraits that playfully examine intimacy, identity, and gender roles. Through humor, performance, and carefully constructed compositions, Liao challenges power dynamics in straight romantic relationships, conventional representations of romantic and creative partnerships, and the relationship between artist and muse.
Presenting approximately 45 works spanning the duration of this ongoing project, Pixy Liao: Relationship Material – originally organized by the Art Institute of Chicago – brings together color photographs, soft sculptures, music videos, and elements of PIMO—the offbeat music duogroup that Liao and Moro formed together. Their performance will begin at 7:30pm.”, which will perform on opening night at 7:30PM. The exhibition frames their relationship as artistic material, showing how a partnership can become a site of experimentation and creative exchange. As part of the opening night reception, Liao and her, Moro will perform together as PIMO.
Nearly two decades after beginning Experimental Relationship, Pixy Liao’s work feels more timely than ever. By using photography to renegotiate power, desire, and partnership with wit and generosity, she has created a sustained and compelling investigation of contemporary relationships.
This exhibition is organized by The Art Institute of Chicago, now expanded in collaboration with CPW. The exhibition is curated by Yechen Zhao, Karen Frank Assistant Curator of Photography and Media at the Art Institute of Chicago, with Adam Ryan, Curator of Photography at CPW.
Pixy Liao, originally from Shanghai, China, is an artist currently based in Tokyo. She has exhibited her work internationally at venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Fotografiska, Rencontres d’Arles, the Asia Society, and the National Gallery of Australia. Liao is a Guggenheim Fellow and has received the NYFA Fellowship in Photography, the Santo Foundation Individual Artist Award, and the Madame Figaro Women Photographers Award. Her residency history includes Light Work, the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW), the University of the Arts London, the School of Visual Arts, Pioneer Works, and the Camera Club of New York.
Banner image: Pixy Liao, How to build a relationship with layered meanings, 2008.
Grid (from left to right): Pixy Liao, The Woman Who Clicks the Shutter, 2018; Massage Time (tribute to my favorite album cover “Robert Witherspoon – Music to Massage Your Mate By”), 2015; Carry the Weight of You, 2017; Support each other and share everything, 2022; Kiss Exam, 2015; Intimacy will improve your relationship, 2007; Start off your day with a good breakfast together, 2009; Get a firm grasp of your man, 2010; Some words are just between us, 2010.
