Art as a Haven of Happiness｜TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM

Exhibitions

Thematic Exhibition

Art as a Haven of Happiness

July 26 (Sat) – October 8 (Wed), 2014

SHIMOKAWA Tomomi (Shobu Gakuen) Untitled, 2014. Mixed media.

At the art studios "Atelier Elément Présent" (Mie and Tokyo) and "Shobu Gakuen" (Kagoshima), people born with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities are daily producing artworks that evince rich sensibilities and intellectual insight.

Their world of jewel-like colors, full of bright, festive energy, easily calls the words "happiness" and "harmony" to mind. Their creative approach—light in spirit and as natural as breathing—seems to epitomize true freedom in art. The profound beauty of form they achieve forces us to reconsider our definition of the word, "disabled."

As a special feature, this exhibition will allow visitors to observe the artists’ production process, normally something only the studio staff is witness to. The exhibition venue will thus become a place to consider anew "the meaning and possibilities of art" in human life. (Some 100 artworks will be presented.)

Features

A major exhibition devoted to "Atelier Elément Présent" and "Shobu Gakuen," two art studios that are growing in renown. While featuring works of painting, sculpture, embroideries, and other genres—many of them recent works—the exhibition will also recreate an actual studio in a gallery and host on-site art production there (dates as yet undecided). Visitors will be permitted to attend the exhibition twice with one ticket, to enable them to return and see for themselves how the artworks have grown in number. Amid a celebratory atmosphere in the exhibition venue, visitors will experience the "true pleasure of art" with all of its freshness and excitement.

Major works

Yo Fuyuki (Atelier Elément Présent)
Red,
2012. Oil on arche paper.

©Atelier Elément Présent
Yusuke Fujimoto (Atelier Elément Présent) JR Sobu Railway Line,
2006. Oil on arche paper.

©Atelier Elément Présent
Tomomi Shimokawa (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled,
2014. Cotton thread, cotton cloth, hemp, glass bottle.

©Shobu Gakuen
Kobo Shobu
Untitled,
2013. Wild cherry. etc.

©Shobu Gakuen

Yo Fuyuki (Atelier Elément Présent)
Blue Blue Blue,
2013. Oil on arche paper.

©Atelier Elément Présent
KURAMATA Haruko (Atelier Elément Présent) Untitled,
2010. Cardboard, fabric.

©Atelier Elément Présent
HAMADA Mikio (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled,
2013. Acrylic on sailcloth.

©Shobu Gakuen
HAMADA Mikio (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled,
2012. Acrylic on cardboard.

©Shobu Gakuen

ANZAWA Miri (Atelier Elément Présent)
Ojarumaru,
2008. Oil on Japanese paper.

©Atelier Elément Présent
OKADA Shinji (Atelier Elément Présent)
Mama has no hair,
2012. Oil on arche paper.

©Atelier Elément Présent
NOMAGUCHI Keisuke (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled,
2005. Cotton shirt, mixed media.

©Shobu Gakuen
HAMADA Mikio (Shobu Gakuen)
Untitled,
2011. Acrylic on Japanese paper.

©Shobu Gakuen

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Information

Period: July 26 (Sat) – October 8 (Wed), 2014

Venue: Galleries A, B, C

Closed: Mondays, as well as the Tuesday of September 16 (Open the Mondays of September 15 and 22, 2014)

Hours: 9:30 – 17:30 (Last admission 17:00)

Days of Extended Hours: Open 9:30 – 21:00 on Fridays (except for September 26, October 3), August 12 – 17 until 21:00 (Last admission 20:30)

Admission

Tickets at the door |
General ¥800 ／ College students ¥400 ／ Seniors 65+ ¥500

Group tickets |
General ¥600
※Group rates - 20 or more people

※Admission free for visitors junior high school age or younger
※Each of the above will entitle the visitor to two admissions (two admissions per ticket)
※A 300 yen discount on the general admission fare will be given to visitors holding a ticket (stub) to the concurrent exhibition, “Ancient Egyptian Queens and Goddesses: Treasures from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York” (while the latter exhibition is in progress).
※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
※In each case, please show identification

Organized by: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Supported by: The Asahi Shimbun

Sponsored by: LEMONGASUI, TURNER COLOR WORKS LTD.

Special WEB Site: http://havenofhappiness.tobikan.jp/

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