Tokyo Gendai Announces Gallery Line-up for its Inaugural Edition in July includes Toyin Ojih Odutola

Tokyo Gendai today announces the list of 79 participating galleries and is delighted to welcome SMBC Group as Principal Partner for the inaugural edition. Organized by The Art Assembly, the Fair takes place at Pacifico Yokohama from 7-9 July 2023 (VIP Preview on 6 July).

Comprising galleries from Japan, the wider Asia Pacific region and across the globe, Tokyo Gendai is a major new platform for commercial, artistic and intellectual exchange, and a nexus of cross-cultural discovery. As one of the world’s most exciting destinations, Japan is home to a dynamic contemporary art scene and a rich tapestry of cultural offerings, providing a strong draw for international exhibitors and visitors.

Tokyo Gendai is delighted to additionally announce the support of a grant from the Japan Tourism Agency. This government grant goes towards a bespoke program of unique experiences highlighting cultural havens around Japan including special events within the city of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto and Kanagawa’s Odawara Art Foundation Enoura Observatory, founded by Hiroshi Sugimoto. This marks the first step in Tokyo Gendai’s collaboration with the Japan Tourism Agency, to warmly welcome the global art community and support the development of cultural tourism in various regions of the country. Tokyo Gendai looks forward to further building on this partnership, creating future opportunities to enrich Japan’s already thriving art ecosystem and to together champion Japan as an unmissable art destination.

The Fair invites international audiences to engage with and discover Japan’s long-established gallery scene and to explore its rich and varied cultural offering through its renowned public institutions, private museums and foundations. At the same time Tokyo Gendai will help to nurture the domestic collector base through welcoming leading galleries from around the world. Tokyo Gendai will be accompanied by an extensive VIP programme of exhibitions and museum openings, studio visits and cultural experiences celebrating the very best that Japan has to offer.

Magnus Renfrew Co-Founder, Tokyo Gendai says: ‘We are grateful to the Japan Tourism Agency, the Agency for Cultural Affairs and our Principal Partner SMBC Group for their support in the launch of this exciting inaugural edition. With its celebrated art history and a cultural reach far beyond its borders, Japan represents a significant opportunity and we are deeply committed to engaging with the art community who share our vision for the exceptional potential of its art scene. As organizers we bring a track record of establishing and developing audiences and adhering to international standards of practice, and we believe strongly in the catalytic role that an art fair of this caliber can play in helping to put the spotlight on art and create a new focal point on the art world calendar.’

Tokura Shunichi, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan says: ‘Japan is home to a wonderful art scene which fascinates art lovers from around the world. There are a great number of artists creating new work, and a rich history and culture inspires their creations. We hope that Tokyo Gendai will serve as an opportunity to introduce and broadcast Japanese art and culture both domestically and internationally, and that Japan will grow into a vibrant hub for the international exchange of art.’

Jun Ohta, President and Group CEO of SMBC says: ‘SMBC Group is delighted to have the privilege of supporting Tokyo Gendai as a Principal Partner. We hope that Tokyo Gendai will act as a bridge between the Japanese art scene and the wider world, allowing for the Japanese art market to develop even further.’

Mr. Koichi Wada, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency says: ‘I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on organizing the forthcoming Tokyo Gendai here in Japan. Contemporary art is one of our most vital tourism resources. Hosting an international art fair in Japan should prove a catalyst for Japan to attract attention domestically and internationally. This fair offers an opportunity for many people to see first-hand a variety of cultural arts and values. I hope this opportunity allows visitors as well as exhibitors from abroad to experience Japan’s charms and visit its regions.’

Eri Takane, Fair Director, Tokyo Gendai says: ‘We were very pleased with the list of galleries both locally and internationally who applied for Tokyo Gendai and I’m excited for us to all be brought together under one roof for the first time in Japan. For local audiences it will be the first time in decades that they are able to interact with such a broad span of the global art world on their own soil. We are creating a variety of enticing programming elements unique to Japan and its culture, working closely together with the art community towards a bright future. The response from international collectors in addition to local and regional collectors has been very positive, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the fair.’