ART EXHIBITION
Our exhibitions are designed to present strong,
unique and creative art from many different cultures.
To “Make” is to “Live.”
We Live Here Now 2017
This exhibition responded to many voices which we heard at the first venue of the preceding exhibit “We Live Here Now 2016” Adding many new art works, we have held this exhibit in Hiroshima, 70 years after the nuclear bomb attack, and Kobe, 22 years after the Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake. During this exhibit, another great earthquake hit Kumamoto; therefore, it was quickly decided that we’d hold this exhibit in Kumamoto as well. This was one of the “Reconstruction of Heart” projects in 2016, sponsored by the Reconstruction Agency of the Japanese Government.
Art for Life :Earthquake
“Legend of Tomorrow” Exhibit
When devastating disaster such as recent earthquakes occur, what can art do when people are suffering with sadness and grief? After 5 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have held an exhibit which shows art products which were made by the people and artists who were hit by the Quake, together with the famous art piece by Taro Okamoto. This was a part of the “Reconstruction of Heart” project which was initiated by the Reconstruction Agency in 2016.
We Live Here Now
This is the exhibit to let people know about the “now” of the devastated area, via messages and portraits which were gathered through the project “Arts for Hope.” Responding to the victims’ “Don’t forget,” this exhibit was held in six cities in Tohoku and Tokyo. This was one of the “Reconstruction of Heart” projects which were initiated by the Reconstruction Agency.
Featuring the ‘art radio,’ a unique African artifact. These fascinating pieces were exhibited in the traveling “Street Art in Africa” exhibition held from 2003 to 2005 in the Fukui Fine Arts Museum, the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, the Fukuoka City Museum, and the National Museum of Ethnology, Japan.
Samurai from the Amazon
; Human, Nature and Arts
Introducing the life and culture of the proud and strong indigenous people of Brazil’s Amazon region together with the words of eminent Japanese artist Taro Okamoto. The collaboration of the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art with the Rainforest Foundation of Japan, which has worked to conserve tropical rain forests for the past twenty years, made this exhibition both vigorous and absorbing.
Welcome to the Animal Fantasy!
An exhibition featuring Polish picture book author and illustrator Jozef Wilkon, who has fastened his tender gaze on animals. The exhibition displayed Wilkon’s lively and adorable animals in sculptures made from driftwood and junk, illustrations, and picture books in which the animals seem to jump out from a forest in Poland.
WOMEN OF THE WORLD
The works of female artists from 176 countries collected by world-traveler and artist Claudia Demonte.
Wilkon’s Animal Fantasy
; the World Jozef Wilkon, Polish Illustrator
An exhibition introducing the artistic world of the nationally renowned Polish picture book author and illustrator Jozef Wilkon, a lover of animals and advocate of life in harmony with nature. The exhibition showcased various representations of expressive animals from Wilkon’s house and atelier, and included sculptures, old rare picture books, original drawings, illustrations, tapestries and more.
Artist Who Became
an Engel
; Delightful Foot-prints of Haru-chan
A retrospective exhibition of Harumi Ichinose (Haru-chan), who died of cancer in 2005. In her twenty years of artistic activities, Harumi showed her multi-talented creativity, which included a riverside screening of her experimental animations. Among her many impressive accomplishments, she won second prize at the Osamu Tezuka Animation Competition. More than 400 of her works were exhibited, including animations, videos, drawings, and dolls, all of which reflect Harumi’s gentle and humorous nature.
Daphnis and Chloe
; in Literature, Visuals Art, Music and Performing Arts
“Daphnis and Chloe,” a romance by the 2nd century Greek poet Longus, has long inspired writers and artists in nearly every creative field. This exhibition introduced a series of Mark Chagall’s lithographs, along with other related materials.
Street Art in Africa
Decorative coffins from Ghana, an authentic barbershop and coffee stand, glass drawings from Senegal, an ‘art radio’ from South Africa…this exhibition featured a wide variety of artifacts picked up on the streets of various African cities. Filled with wonder and discovery, the amazingly rich and free expression presented here surprised visitors, with colorful, bold designs that evoke the air of bustle in African cities. The exhibition traveled to four venues in Japan.
Greece-Japan Cultural Exchange Exhibition
An introduction to Japanese artist Yoshiko Tsukamoto, who beautifully illustrates the clear landscape of the Aegean Sea and the calm, peaceful life in Greece. The exhibition was held in Athens as part of the “Japanese Cultural Year in Greece” celebration.
Uki-uki Waku-waku
Art Land
(Happy Merry Art Land)
A showcase of 150 drawings by would-be Picasso children from 40 countries. During the exhibition period, local primary school students, as junior curators, presented eight exhibitions featuring the kids’ artwork. It was an exciting, hands-on exhibition, connecting children from all over the world with local kids (from Urawa-city, Japan) and the museum.
Art in Paradise
from Claudia Demonte
& Ed Mcgowin Collection
An introduction to the work of 38 self-taught American artists from the collection of this New York-based artist couple. The artists represented here explore various means of expression, going beyond conventional materials and established techniques. It’s almost as if they were in “paradise,” inspired and free to create artwork filled with human warmth.