The Hamilton Princess Beach Club has officially unveiled its latest artistic addition, featuring a minimalist concrete portrait titled "Nethaneel.2024" by renowned British artist Julien Opie. The new sculpture has been installed as the newest centerpiece in the hotel's prestigious Sculpture Garden, marking another significant expansion of the property's contemporary art collection.
The artwork depicts British Olympic sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, who earned a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. According to a hotel spokesperson, the piece represents a striking new addition that showcases Opie's distinctive artistic approach and celebrates athletic achievement on an international scale.
"Nethaneel.2024" is part of Opie's acclaimed "Everyone" series, which was first exhibited at London's "Sculpture in the City 2024" exhibition. The sculpture perfectly embodies Opie's signature artistic style, featuring a pared-down, symmetrical depiction of human faces that evokes both facial recognition systems and universal human identity themes. This minimalist approach has become synonymous with the British artist's work and philosophical exploration of modern identity.
The new sculpture joins an impressive collection of contemporary works already displayed throughout the Sculpture Garden. Notable pieces in the existing collection include "Warrior No. 10" by Chinese artist Yue Minjun, "Princesse des Airs" by Sylvestre Gauvrit, and "Bronze Eroded Astronaut" by Daniel Arsham. These works collectively create a diverse and internationally recognized art destination for visitors and art enthusiasts.
Opie's presence at the Hamilton Princess extends beyond the Sculpture Garden, with additional works strategically placed throughout the property. Guests can view "Heads" in the hotel lobby, while "Walking in Sinsa-dong 3" is prominently displayed as a large-scale mural at the 16O9 Marina Bar. This comprehensive integration of Opie's work demonstrates the hotel's commitment to creating an immersive artistic experience for all visitors.
