Art Week Tokyo is set to make a highly anticipated return for its third edition from 2 to 5 November, introducing a new curated section called AWT Focus. This exciting addition will showcase selected works from participating galleries, offering a fresh perspective on the Japanese art canon. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase these captivating pieces directly from the galleries.
Atsuko Ninagawa, co-founder and Director of Art Week Tokyo, explained that AWT Focus combines the narrative depth of a museum presentation with the spontaneity of a market framework. She expressed that this innovative format aims to empower emerging collectors, allowing them to shape history by developing their own artistic vision and providing sustained patronage and support.
Overseeing the inaugural AWT Focus exhibition at the prestigious Okura Museum of Art, located on the grounds of the Okura Tokyo Hotel, will be Kenjiro Hosaka, the Director of the Shiga Museum of Art. This collaboration promises a thought-provoking experience for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
A total of 50 galleries and art institutions will participate in this year’s Art Week Tokyo, including renowned establishments such as the National Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, the Mori Art Museum, and Watari-um. Among the 39 Tokyo galleries taking part are notable newcomers like Tomio Koyama and ShugoArts, as well as established entities such as Taka Ishii Gallery, Ota Fine Arts, and SCAI The Bathhouse.
Multinational galleries, including Blum & Poe and Perrotin, will also make a captivating presence, along with “third-generation galleries” like Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Misako & Rosen, Nanzuka Underground, and Take Ninagawa. The event will also feature emerging galleries such as Kana Kawanishi, Leesaya, Ken Nakahashi, and Kotaro Nukaga, providing a platform for exciting new talent. Artist-run spaces Fig. and 4649 will further contribute to the vibrant and diverse artistic atmosphere.
Art Week Tokyo promises to be a captivating event, showcasing a rich variety of artwork, engaging visitors with thought-provoking exhibitions, and providing an exceptional opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to immerse themselves in the vibrant Japanese art scene.