Artists Look at Children gallery talk event at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Behind the Scenes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: An Exhibition Curator’s Guide to Artists and their paintings
On December 20th, visitors to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum were treated to a special gallery tour of Ueno Artist Project 2019: “Artists Look at Children.” Led by the exhibition’s curator, the tour met for two sessions, one in the afternoon, and one at night. In this installment, we take you inside the museum for a report on all that the evening session had in store.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum curator Hiroko Tanaka.
A concise yet blissful escape into an artistic world
Over the course of the 30-minute tour, the group moved throughout the gallery, accompanied by an in-depth explanation of each artwork. The tour was led by Hiroko Tanaka, the curator who oversaw the exhibition’s planning and composition. As the ambitious exhibition was divided into three sections – Chapter 1: The Object of Love, Chapter 2: Growth and Conflict, and Chapter 3: The Connectivity of Life – there were only 10 minutes to spare for each “chapter.” Although the tour moved at a brisk pace, the atmosphere was relaxed, as the curator deftly addressed the distinctive technical features and creative impetus for each artwork, while also sharing tidbits about the artists along the way.
Chapter 1 began with the work of Kana Shinjo. Her contribution depicted a happily smiling young girl, painted with a light touch, embellished with mineral pigments, gold leaf, and silver leaf. Evidently, Shinjo frequently incorporates these luxurious media into her work, a testament to her classical training as a nihonga (Japanese-style) painter. Next came Ayako Okubo, an artist known for her powerful images of mothers and children. In surprising contrast to the intensity of the work, Tanaka shared how Okubo is a rather petite woman who began producing a series of hand drawings upon the birth of her grandchild. Certainly, such insider gleanings are the quintessence of a true gallery tour experience.
Chapter 2 featured work by Tsubasa Shida and Megumi Toyosawa. It turns out that Shida is a high school art teacher, uniquely attuned to capture the elusive contemporary teenage temperament in his paintings of young men and women. On the subject of Toyosawa’s depictions of female high school students, Tanaka shared her take on the artist’s oeuvre, stating, “I find her subject matter highly relatable, and can’t help but be reminded of my own adolescent years.” This reporter was reassured to hear that her own impressions of the work were on the mark, and echoed by a professional art expert. Suddenly, the painting felt all the more accessible and personal.
Gallery talk event.
Interpretations are infinite (but a bit of professional guidance goes a long way)
As a clue to understanding Chapter 3, Tanaka suggested that “the symbiosis between man and nature” is an essential element of Yasuhisa Yamamoto’s work. When reappraising the painting with this phrase in mind, a deeper thematic meaning revealed itself with more clarity than perceived at first glance. Next came a painting by Masanori Kihara, distinguished by a beautiful use of vibrant, almost translucent color. Surprisingly, Tanaka explained that Kihara’s work used to be characterized by a much darker color palette. However, after he became a father, his home became filled with bright, colorful children’s toys, which organically inspired a more optimistic stylistic approach. The anecdote was a heartwarming indication of the outsized positive impact children can have on one’s life.
Each of the gallery talk events was unique. Tanaka estimates that over half of the material discussed in the evening session differed from that covered in the morning session. As she explains, “The goal with these talks was to ensure each visitor was afforded a new window into the art, and most importantly, had fun.”
“There isn’t any one way to approach a painting. I hope that everyone feels free to find their own interpretations of the work. However, it helps to have an initial push. Once you know the keywords associated with a given artist, their work becomes even more interesting. Hopefully, my gallery tour served as precisely such an opportunity.”
True to her words, the tour instilled a more intimate familiarity with each artist’s personal world, and ensured that the impressions gained from viewing the artwork were etched saliently in memory. As a result, any future encounter with the exhibited artists’ work is bound to feel akin to reuniting with an old friend. On an evening full of discoveries, this reporter was awakened to the joy of art appreciation, thanks to the knowing guidance of a consummate curator.
Text and Photos: Naoko Tsunoda (Fillmore East Co., Ltd.)
Ueno Artist Project 2019: “Artists Look at Children”
Dates: Saturday, November 16th, 2019 – Sunday, January 5th, 2020 Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Gallery A, C
