BLUM Tokyo’s “Afterimage of Memory” is a two-person exhibition by the estate of Sadamasa Motonaga and the artist Etsuko Nakatsuji. Partnered from 1960 until Motonaga’s passing in 2011, husband and wife pair Motonaga and Nakatsuji have jointly and individually made strides in the advancement of the postwar Japanese avant-garde practices for the better part of a century.
Sadamasa Motonaga (b. 1922, Mie Prefecture, Japan; d. 2011, Takarazuka, Japan) was a key figure of the Gutai Art Association (1955–71), renowned for its radical contributions to performance, painting, and sculpture. Rejecting the somber tone of postwar existentialism, Motonaga embraced a playful, vibrant approach, producing works that fused tradition with innovation.
Etsuko Nakatsuji (b. 1937, Takaishi, Osaka) began her career working in graphic design while simultaneously pursuing her passion for art. In the early 1960s, she gained recognition for her unique human-shaped forms, which became a recurring motif in her work. Her creations, often playful yet peculiar, have appeared in various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and illustrations.
On view until April 4, 2025
BLUM Tokyo
Harajuku Jingu-no-mori 5F
1-14-34 Jingumae
Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
Tuesday–Saturday, 12–6pm
For more details about the exhibit, visit BLUM’s site here.
All photos by SAIKI, courtesy of BLUM
