Mizuma Art Gallery is a contemporary art space on the second floor of Kagura Building in Ichigayatamachi, Shinjuku. Its exhibitions change monthly, bringing Japanese and international artists into view. The gallery is known for work that draws on traditional nihonga painting while taking unusual, often fantastical directions. You might see Akira Yamaguchi’s imagined battle scenes or Manabu Ikeda’s elaborate cityscapes. Makoto Aida’s socially provocative paintings are another reason to check the current programme before you go.
A gallery for distinctive contemporary art
Mizuma Art Gallery opened in 1994 to give Japanese artists greater international exposure. It later expanded its programme to include international artists showing their work in Japan. The Ichigaya gallery is in Kagura Building, on the second floor, in Shinjuku City.
The gallery has represented artists with individual approaches to contemporary art, including Makoto Aida, O JUN, Jin Kurashige, Akira Yamaguchi and Hisashi Tenmyouya. Its programme has also included artists from elsewhere in Asia, among them Indonesian artist Albert Yonathan Setyawan.
Art rooted in tradition, with unexpected subjects
Some artists connected with the gallery draw on the visual language of nihonga, a Japanese painting tradition, to make fantastical contemporary images. Akira Yamaguchi, for example, imagines historical battle scenes in which the horses have motorcycle bodies. Manabu Ikeda creates detailed visions of a floating rocky city crossed by waterfalls and winding railways.
Makoto Aida is known for provocative paintings that take on subjects including social issues and nationalism. His work can be challenging, so check the current exhibition details if you have a particular interest in what will be on view. The gallery’s monthly changes mean the artists and artworks on display vary over time.
FAQ
Where is Mizuma Art Gallery?
It is on the second floor of Kagura Building, 3-13 Ichigayatamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo.
How often do exhibitions change?
The gallery presents monthly rotating exhibitions.
Which artists are associated with the gallery?
Artists associated with its programme include Makoto Aida, Akira Yamaguchi, Manabu Ikeda and Albert Yonathan Setyawan.
