Takasada Matsutani in his studio Paris, 27 January 2019 Photo: Michel Lunardelli

Takasada Matsutani (1937–), a key figure from the second generation of the Gutai Art Association, relocated to Paris, where he continues to create with unrelenting vigor. Over the past six decades, he has pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, experimenting with a variety of mediums—from relief works made with vinyl adhesives to prints and delicate pencil drawings on paper. Matsutani’s first major retrospective in Japan, showcasing over 200 works, will be held at the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery.

”Two Forms” 2022 Collection of the artist Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth ©Takesada Matsutani Photo: Benoît Fougeirol

Beginnings to Gutai: New forms of expression using a novel material

This long-awaited exhibition of Takesada Matsutani is the largest retrospective of his works to date in Japan, encompassing masterpieces from every stage of his career. This is the definitive Matsutani exhibition.

Within the Gutai Art Association championed abstract art, such as was Matsutani's however, he did make sensual allusions and associations—that stood out as unique. He sought to create a form of expression derived from both form and material that speaks of sensuality, vitality, time, movement, and invisible forces. This was Matsutani's starting point, and it was a theme that he would continue to explore throughout his life, changing its shape little by little.

Left Work 63-A-36 1963 Himeji City Museum of Art
Right Work 66-2 1966 The Miyagi Museum of Art

Jiro Yoshihara(right) and Takesada Matsutani, at Gutai Pinacotheca, Osaka, Japan 1963 ©Takesada Matsutani archives

Early Paris period: Printmaking. Shift from exploration of space and time to hard-edged expression

Top Propagation-Pink 1970 Ashiya City Museum of Art & History
Bottom Matsutani and Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17, Paris 1967 ©Takesada Matsutani archives

In 1966, Matsutani moved to Paris there he joined Stanley William Hayter's printmaking studio, Atelier 17, where artists from all over the world gathered. Eventually he became Hayter’s assistant.

He explored how to grasp the important motifs of the images that fundamentally guided his work to express them on the flat surface of prints, encompassing space and time. Gradually he shifted to a hard-edged expression characterised by geometric and organic, forms and vivid colours.

A fresh challenge in pencil and paper: Breaking new ground in the world of black

In the late 1970s Matsutani began a return to his creative roots, using familiar materials such as pencil and paper. Eventually, he established a form of expression that fills the paper with black strokes, engendering a representation of biological time. He also revisited organic forms made from vinyl adhesive, breaking new ground in his black pencil stroke works. With a trajectory potentially stretching to infinity, the theme of “stream” became increasingly important. From this point onwards, Matsutani has continued to produce a wide variety of works, coming and going between various series and motifs.

Left “Drop” 1985 Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery Photo: Arata Saito
Right “Point of contact 2009” 2009 The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama

Top Installation view of Stream-6 1982 at Gallery S65, Belgium, 1983 Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo ©Takesada Matsutani archives
Bottom Matsutani inflating vinyl glue with a straw in his studio, Paris 1981 ©Takesada Matsutani archives

Matsutani now: Free and unfettered, expanding his range of expression

In recent years, Matsutani has not adhered to any single technique or form of expression, and his work has become increasingly free and expansive, combining boldness with subtle delicacy. Inspired by the things and sensations he encounters every day, his works become a diary. He continues to use his own body and all his senses to create works full of fresh discoveries and surprises.

Left Soft and Hard 9-11-2010 2010 Collection of the artist Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth ©Takesada Matsutani Photo: Marc Domage
Right Knoll 2023 Collection of the artist Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth ©Takesada Matsutani Photo: Nicolas Brasseur

Sketchbooks, production journals, drawings: Initial ideas provide a look behind Matsutani’s work

Matsutani’s unpublished sketchbooks, production journals, drawings, and more will be on display. The exhibition delves into the background behind Matsutani’s work, shedding light on his interests at each stage of his career, as well as the consistent interests that underpin his diverse practice.

Left Untitled 1973 Collection of the artist Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth ©Takesada Matsutani Photo: Nicolas Brasseur
Right Untitled (drawing for a monument) 1985 Collection of the artist Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth ©Takesada Matsutani Photo: Nicolas Brasseur

Still actively producing art, including large-scale installations, Matsutani invites us to reflect on his remarkable six-decade journey. This rare opportunity to witness the evolution of his practice is not to be missed.

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Title: Takesada Matsutani
Period: Thursday, 11 April - Sunday, 16 June, 2024
Venue: Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery (Gallery 1,2,3)
Open hours: 11:00 - 19:00（Last admission at 18:30)
Closing day: Mondays (Tuesday if the Monday is a public holiday)
Admission: adults 1600 [1400] yen / university and high school students 1000 [800] yen
free for junior high and under

Rates in brackets indicate discount. Free for person with a disability certificate along with an attendant.
Only one concession or discount can be applied at a time.
Nonrefundable.
Organiser: Tokyo Opera City Cultural Foundation
Sponsor: Nippon Life Insurance Company
Cooperation: Sogo Development Co., Ltd., Hauser & Wirth
Special cooperation: Ashiya City Museum of Art & History