#Japan #Tokyo #Atsushi Suwa #WHAT MUSEUM #Goro Yamada

Exploring Life and Death in Art

On October 13, 2025, in a lively collaboration between artist Atsushi Suwa and art critic Goro Yamada, WHAT MUSEUM in Tokyo will host an engaging talk event titled "What 'Migi ni te' Asks: Painting as Flowing Objects." This event is part of the current exhibition, "Atsushi Suwa: You Are Beautiful", showcasing approximately 80 works that span Suwa's artistic evolution over three years, including newly created still lifes and portraits.

Atsushi Suwa is recognized for his unique ability to merge various disciplines such as art history, folklore studies, and clinical medicine into his paintings. His research-based practice often depicts historical figures and unseen specters, which he pursued through thorough investigations. However, during the pandemic, limited opportunities for such engagements impacted his perspective, leading to feelings of disconnection from his desire to depict humanity. His latest large-scale artwork, "Migi ni te,” serves as a testament to his exploration of the thresholds between life and death, utilizing various materials, like old skeletal models and plaster, to create a reimagined human form.

Goro Yamada, a well-versed critic in Western art, himself faced significant personal challenges following a health announcement in 2024, yet has continued his contributions to the art world. His contemplation on art often reflects humanity's collective encounters with grief and pain. It will be intriguing to witness how he interprets Suwa’s recent works, especially those that confront loss, through his critical lens.

The interplay of life and death evokes profound questions about how artworks evolve over time. Both artists share a collector's spirit, with Yamada collecting minerals and skulls, while Suwa gathers various materials throughout his creative journey. In a society increasingly characterized by solitary living and aging populations, pondering the future destinations of collected art becomes paramount.

The conversation between Suwa and Yamada—two figures joined by their commitment to art—invites the audience to experience a multifaceted exploration of Suwa’s exhibition, encouraging deeper dialogue on the themes of existence and artistic legacy.

Event Details:

• - Date: October 13, 2025 (Monday, national holiday)
• - Time: 15:00 to 16:00
• - Participants: Goro Yamada, Atsushi Suwa, with Taketaka Miyamoto as moderator.
• - Fee: Free (additional admission fee required)
• - Capacity: 40 participants (application required, first-come-first-served basis)
• - Venue: WHAT MUSEUM, 2-6-10, Higashi-shinagawa, Shinagawa, Tokyo
• - Organizer: WHAT MUSEUM

For more information, visit the official website: WHAT MUSEUM.

About the Participants

Goro Yamada: Born December 5, 1958, in Tokyo, Yamada has extensive experience in art criticism and public speaking, contributing to numerous exhibitions and television programs. He suggests that art retains the collective memories of humanity facing sorrow and illness.

Atsushi Suwa: Born in 1967 in Hokkaido, Suwa is celebrated for his deep engagement with realism in modern Japanese painting, merging the tangible and intangible in a quest for understanding the human experience.

This event is poised to be a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary themes in art and their implications for our understanding of life, loss, and legacy.