WHAT

The current exhibition displays the artistic development of Japanese artist, Tsuyoshi Maekawa (b.1936), spanning from his entire career, and most significantly from his time as a member of the Gutai Art Association, which was Japan’s most significant avant-garde collective of the post-war era. The works presented trace the artist’s development pre-Gutai until his exploration of newer art styles from the dawn of the millennium. As an artist keen on exploring the tactility of different mediums, Maekawa’s works display a variety of styles that include using burlap and cotton hemp. 

WHY

Witnessing an artist’s development through works spanning their entire career is a magical sight in itself but for a man like Maekawa, it’s even more special. Viewers can discover the artist’s flirtation with different styles over time as well as the consistency of his love for unique materials. Burlap has become synonymous with Maekawa, and he used it throughout his entire career, pushing its boundaries, exploring its possibilities, and giving it life and form. The works in the exhibition exemplify these artistic ideals.