Tadanori Yokoo: The River of Renga

A living legend of Japanese contemporary art and graphic design, Tadanori Yokoo has been creating for over six decades and shows no signs of slowing down. Born in 1936 near Kobe, Yokoo first gained international recognition for his bold, graphic poster art, which fused elements of pop art, surrealism and traditional Japanese aesthetics. His 1972 solo exhibition at the MoMA in New York cemented his place in the global art scene. Soon after that he transitioned to painting, developing a deeply introspective and experimental approach.

From April 26 to June 22, the Setagaya Art Museum showcases the latest phase of the artist’s winding creative journey. ‘The River of Renga’ zooms in on how in 2023, Yokoo began exploring a new process inspired by the Japanese poetic tradition of renga, in which multiple poets collaborate to compose linked verses. Applying this principle to painting, he began treating each new brushstroke as a response to the previous day’s work, allowing the imagery to flow organically like a river. This meditative approach has resulted in a series of evocative oil paintings, where memory, time and water intertwine. 

Featuring approximately 60 new works, the exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the still-expanding world of one of Japan’s most enigmatic artists.