Exhibitions

Special Exhibitions

Tanaka Isson: Light and Soul

September 19 (Thu) – December 1 (Sun), 2024

Painter Tanaka Isson (1908-1977) dedicated his life wholeheartedly to the pursuit of art. This major retrospective will cover the entire scope of Isson’s career, from his childhood as a painting prodigy to the works of his final years on Amami Oshima Island.
Isson was driven by “indomitable passion” throughout his life. Having little interest in recognition or glory, he poured his entire being into painting. His paintings of nature filled with clear light are the crystallization of that passion. The indelible brilliance of his soul also seems to reside in their quiet, calm atmosphere.
This retrospective will be the definitive exhibition to date of Isson’s major works, many of them from the Tanaka Isson Memorial Museum of Art in Amami Oshima. By employing a format that includes numerous materials discovered in recent years, the exhibition endeavors to capture this unusual painter’s essence and allow viewers to feel art’s depth as the driving force of one’s life.

Certain works will be rotated during the exhibition’s run.

First Period:September 19 (Thu) – October 24 (Thu)
Second Period:October 25 (Fri) – December 1 (Sun)

Features
Features
  1. 1. The most extensive retrospective of Isson’s work
    With more than 250 works—including paintings, sketches, artifacts, and documents—the exhibition offers a complete picture of Isson's life and work. On display will be his Amami masterpieces “Alocasia Odora and Sago Palm” and “Seashore with Screw Pine”, as well as other large unfinished works. Many of Isson’s works, recently discovered, will be exhibited for the first time, shedding light on unknown aspects of his art.
  2. 2. Exhibition to be held in Ueno, a place familiar to Isson
    Isson enrolled, along with Higashiyama Kaii and others, at what is now Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku) in Ueno. He left after two months. Later, Isson taught himself to paint and was devoted to creating his own unique style. "One day I will have a solo exhibition in Tokyo,” he said. He finally has his chance.
  3. 3. Experience the culture and natural world of Amami Oshima
    The natural beauty of Amami Oshima, which fascinated Isson, will be presented in high-definition. Events featuring Amami culture also will be held during the exhibition period.

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Information

Information

Period
September 19 (Thu) – December 1 (Sun), 2024
Venue
Exhibition Rooms
Closed
Mondays, September 24, October 15, November 5
(Open the Mondays of September 23, October 14, November 4)
Hours
9:30 – 17:30 (Last admission 17:00), Fridays 9:30 – 20:00 (Last admission 19:30)
Admission

General ¥2,000 (¥1,800) / College students ¥1,300 (¥1,100) / Seniors 65+ ¥1,500 (¥1,300)


※(  ) Advance tickets.
※Visitors of high-school age and younger will be admitted free.
※Admission free for visitors (and one accompanying person) with a Physical Disability Certificate, Intellectual Disability Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Disability Certificate or Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate.
※High-school and university students, seniors 65 and older, and visitors with certificates are asked to show identification.

※Timed entry reservations required on weekends and holidays, and on the weekdays of November 26th (Tue) to 29th (Fri). (Walk-in guests will be accommodated if space is available.)

Resale of admission tickets for this exhibition is strictly prohibited. The museum accepts no responsibility for any inconvenience or loss caused by the illegal resale of tickets.
Organized by
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tanaka Isson Memorial Museum of Art, NHK, NHK Promotions Inc., Nikkei Inc.
Sponsored by
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), Nihontenrei
In Special Cooperation with
Chiba City Museum of Art
In Cooperation with
ANA, Peach
Supervised by
Tomoko Matsuo (Dupty Director of Chiba City Museum of Art)
Special WEB Site
https://isson2024.exhn.jp

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