Martin Margiela’s Artworks Get a Major Tokyo Spotlight
At Kudan House, the elusive designer-turned-artist makes his solo debut in Japan.
Summary
- Martin Margiela is set to open his first large-scale exhibition in Japan at Kudan House, running from April 11 through 29
- The showcase gathers a gamut of collages, drawings, paintings, assemblages, sculptures and video, dispersed throughout the historic Tokyo residence
Martin Margiela has always been an artist at heart. After a sudden departure from his namesake label in 2009, he turned — or returned, rather — to art as his main creative outlet: “I needed a wider spectrum with total freedom in creative expression, and rediscovered my roots as a young boy in art school,” he said ahead of his debut exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations in 2021, “enjoying pure creation without boundaries.”
This spring, Margiela will unveil a new solo show at Kudan House in Tokyo. Running from April 11 through 19, the historic villa will be transformed into an intimate, immersive environment of the artist’s own in his first large-scale exhibition in Japan.
The showcases features a mix of collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, assemblage and video peppered throughout the entirety of the space. Like his debut show, which could only be accessed via emergency exit, the upcoming exhibition puts the atmosphere and artwork into direct conversation with one another, evoking ideas of domesticity and, of course, privacy.
Throughout his tenure as a designer, Margiela renounced the industry’s cult of celebrity, earning the “invisible man of fashion” title. A similar attitude rings true for his art practice: by staying anonymous, he aims to direct attention away from the maker and towards the works, the alchemy of the hand-crafted. At Kudan House, Margiela’s thematic touchstones — time, disappearance, aura, corporeality, visibility — take on a more subdued sensibility, spotlighting an artistic solitude that challenges how we approach transformation and perception, while keeping its air of mystery intact.
“I still have the same interests and obsessions as I did during my time in fashion, but the human body is no longer my sole medium of expression,” he continued. “I prefer to instill questions than to show answers.”
Martin Margiela at Kudan House will be on view April 11 through 29. Click here to secure your tickets today.
Kudan House
1 Chome-15-9 Kudankita,
Chiyoda City,
Tokyo 102-0073,
Japan
