#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Contemporary Art Award #Tetsuya Umeda #Haji Oh

The Tokyo Contemporary Art Award 2024-2026 Exhibition 'Wetland'

Introduction
The Tokyo Contemporary Art Award (TCAA) is designed to support mid-career artists through various initiatives, including public exhibitions and international dispatches. Established in 2018 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the award offers sustained support for multiple years after an artist's recognition. The fifth awardees, Tetsuya Umeda and Haji Oh, have collaborated to create an exhibition titled 'Wetland' that reflects their shared exploration of water as a vital theme in their recent works.

Exhibition Details
The exhibition is set to run from December 25, 2025, to March 29, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum will be open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and entrance to the exhibition will be free. Closed Mondays, the museum will also not be open on specified national holidays while remaining accessible on select other dates.

Artists’ Background and Themes
Both Umeda and Oh have made significant contributions to contemporary art by incorporating elements related to water in their work. From Umeda’s installations that utilize everyday materials to Oh’s textile-based installations that challenge personal memory and cultural narratives, their pieces embody an intricate dialogue. Through a series of discussions following their award, the two artists conceptualized the exhibition in a manner that intertwines their works, creating a resonance that transcends individual recognition.

This collaborative endeavor demonstrates how two artists can communicate effectively, despite different methodologies, showcasing their synchronicity in regard to thematic exploration. The exhibition title 'Wetland' emphasizes the critical interaction between land and water, analogizing this with the exchange between the artists themselves.

Featured Works and Installation
During the exhibition, Haji Oh will present new works inspired by her ongoing project, the 'Grand-Mother Island Project,' which examines personal memories influenced by cultural heritage in Japan, Korea, and Australia. Umeda plans to challenge conventional viewing spaces by introducing dynamic sound elements and alternative pathways within the exhibition, stimulating dialogue around the role of the museum as a system and gallery experience.

Related Events
In conjunction with the exhibition, an artist talk is scheduled for January 10, 2026. This free admission event will require prior reservation and will feature a discussion on the selection process and insights into the exhibition, reflecting on the practices of Umeda, Oh, and their dialogues with curators.

Conclusion
The TCAA exhibition not only serves as a platform for challenging contemporary approaches but also showcases how the unique backgrounds and techniques of two awardees can resonate beyond their individual practices. Join us at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art to experience an unprecedented interaction between two innovative artists and their interpretations of the theme 'water.' For further details, visitors are encouraged to check the TCAA website as additional programming unfolds.