First, there was Matsumura Goshun
The recent focus on the vibrant idiosyncratic works of the Edo Period (1603-1868) eccentric painters has left the achievements more traditional masters in neglect. "Road to Shijo School" at the ...
'Rut Bryk: Touch of a Butterfly'
April 27-June 16 Finnish artist Rut Bryk (1916-1999) was a pioneer of modern Finnish ceramic art and was particularly well-known for her designs for the ceramics brand Arabia. Throughout her career she explored various styles, ranging from expressionist ceramic wall tiles to large-scale abstract mosaic ...
April 27-May 26 In 1999, mixed-media artist Tabaimo won the Kirin Contemporary Art Grand Prize award for "Japanese Kitchen," part of her university graduation project, and has since been featured in major museum exhibitions and festivals, including representing Japan at the 2011 Venice Biennale. Her latest ...
'Oscar Oiwa: Journey to the Light'
April 27-Aug. 25 Based in Tokyo and New York, Oscar Oiwa is a Nikkei Brazilian artist who reinterprets aerial and bird's-eye views of urban landscapes through detailed drawings and paintings. Exploring global themes of societal and environmental issues, he sources inspiration from photographs, prints and ...
Ichikawa Kagura: Saving the dances of the gods
As performers of Shinto theatrical dance age, the Sanriku International Arts festival hopes to encourage youth to help preserve tradition.
'Roppongi Crossing': The right connections
If you're going to see big cartoon characters in an art gallery, the Mori Art Museum (MAM) is a good place to do it. The museum's voluminous spaces lend themselves well to visually dramatic works that catch your attention in a flash before taking you ...
Kyotographie 2019: It's in the space
The banner image for "Vibe," the seventh edition of the Kyotographie International Photography Festival, is Scotsman Albert Watson's sepia-tinted portrait of Ryuichi Sakamoto, which was used for the musician's 1989 album "Beauty." It's an outrageously self-indulgent image, but so gorgeous, and the album itself ...
The rise, fall and resurrection of Kyosai
An overachieving infant, Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-89) sketched at age 3, studied ukiyo-e from 7 and joined a branch of the Kano school of painting at 10. He offended officials, was shunned as an ex-convict, applauded by Josiah Conder and then forgotten after WWII. Now, ...
April 20-June 23 Based in New York, Tom Sachs is best-known for his "readymade" reinterpretations of everyday objects and iconic pop culture into satirical art. Despite his humorous and at times critical commentary, he has been acclaimed by international brands, including Prada, whose shoe boxes ...
'PGI 40th Anniversary Exhibition'
April 19-May 25 On April 5, the Photo Gallery International (PGI), which specializes in showcasing original works by renowned and up-and-coming photographers from all around the globe, celebrated its 40th anniversary. Reflecting on the past 40 years of exhibitions, this anniversary presentation includes a focus on ...
'Points and Lines, Color, Shape: Art of Shimane'
April 20-June 24 The Iwami Art Museum's collection of acquisitions ranges from ancient objects to contemporary artworks, including paintings, crafts, sculpture, photography, video, fashion magazines, clothing and accessories from across the world. To complement its works celebrating the traditions and cultural properties of Shimane Prefecture, the ...
Weaving in and out of a century of art
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo's re-opening exhibition is an ambitious exploration of an entire century's worth of art that runs through the majority of the museum building and spans four floors. Allow yourself ample time to make your way through it.
