Yoshio Okada and Modern Japanese Paintings

In celebration of Asia Week New York 2026, Thomsen Gallery (8 East 67th Street) is proud to announce its exhibition “Yoshio Okada and Modern Japanese Paintings.”

Yoshio Okada is recognized worldwide for his brilliance in harnessing the traditional Japanese craft of lacquer to contemporary modes of visual expression. The exhibition is centered around two of his most innovative series: “Celestial Phenomena” and “Jellyfish.”

The “Celestial Phenomena” series is devoted to depictions of heavenly bodies seen through fleeting clouds; Okada’s “Jellyfish” series was inspired by the idea of ocean creatures resembling multiple moons reflected on the surface of the night sea. The resulting works are compelling fusions of time-honored skills with contemporary sensibility.

The works by Okada are complemented by folding screens and hanging scroll paintings from the Taisho era (1912-26) and early Showa era (1926-1989), a time of great change for Japan and its arts. Superb works were created for the domestic market, in contrast to the export-oriented output during the preceding Meiji era (1868-1912). Though most painters of the Taisho and early Showa eras typically remained focused on traditional themes, they often experimented with new materials and perspectives. They shifted from stylized depictions of nature to naturalistic botanical studies. Making trips abroad, many painters incorporated foreign elements from their travels into their work.

Opening hours: daily 11am-5pm