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Takesada Matsutani

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b. 1937, Japan

From the early 1960s until the 1970s Matsutani was a key member of the 'second generation' of the influential post war Japanese art collective, the Gutai Art Association. Over five decades Matsutani has developed a unique visual language of form and materials. As part of the Gutai group, Matsutani experimented with vinyl glue, using fans and his own breath to manipulate the substance, creating bulbous and sensuous forms reminiscent of human curves and features.

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In 1966, Matsutani received a grant from the French government after winning first prize in the 1st Mainichi Art Competition and subsequently moved to Paris where he began working at Stanley William Hayter's renowned printmaking studio, Atelier 17. During the four years he worked at the studio, he learnt French, married and established his base in Paris. Working alongside Hayter opened Matsutani up to a new form of artistic experimentation and offered him a newfound confidence. Matsutani began to rethink his practice and a new elemental aesthetic language began to emerge that was both controlled and organic.

After the Gutai group disbanded in 1972, Matsutani eased into a radical yet consistent new body of work, informed by his experience at Atelier 17. Faithful to his Gutai roots, he strove to identify and convey the essential character of vinyl glue with graphite, that were to become his signature materials. Matsutani began creating vast expanses of metallic black graphite on mural-size sheets of paper built up with painstaking individual strokes. This ritualized manner presents a time-based record of his gestures, while reminiscent of his artistic beginnings in Japan, it has been translated into an artistic language that is uniquely his own.

Text courtesy Hauser & Wirth.

Current & Recent Exhibitions

Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, Hospital Rooms Like there is hope and I can dream of another world at Hauser & Wirth, London, United Kingdom Upcoming 19 August–14 September 2022 Group Exhibition Hospital Rooms Like there is hope and I can dream of another world London
Contemporary art exhibition, Takesada Matsutani, Combine at Hauser & Wirth, 22nd Street, New York, USA Closed 3 February–2 April 2022 Takesada Matsutani Combine 22nd Street, New York
Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, SALON D’HIVER at Hauser & Wirth, Limmatstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland Closed 27 November–18 December 2020 Group Exhibition SALON D’HIVER Limmatstrasse, Zürich
Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, To Form a More Perfect Union at Hauser & Wirth, 69th Street, New York, USA Closed 12 November–31 December 2020 Group Exhibition To Form a More Perfect Union 69th Street, New York
Contemporary art exhibition, Takesada Matsutani, Takesada Matsutani at Hauser & Wirth, Hong Kong, SAR, China Closed 29 October 2020–11 February 2021 Takesada Matsutani Hong Kong
Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, Artists for New York at Hauser & Wirth, 548 West 22nd Street, New York, USA Closed 1–22 October 2020 Group Exhibition Artists for New York 548 West 22nd Street, New York
Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, Stronger Than Language at Hauser & Wirth, St. Moritz, Switzerland Closed 11 June–5 July 2020 Group Exhibition Stronger Than Language St. Moritz
Contemporary art exhibition, Takesada Matsutani, Stream at Hauser & Wirth, Online Only, SAR, China Closed 14 May–30 June 2020 Takesada Matsutani Stream Online Only
Contemporary art exhibition, Takesada Matsutani, Yohaku at Hauser & Wirth, Limmatstrasse, Zürich, Switzerland Closed 11 October–21 December 2019 Takesada Matsutani Yohaku Limmatstrasse, Zürich
Contemporary art exhibition, Group Exhibition, Gutai at Hauser & Wirth, 69th Street, New York, USA Closed 1 November–22 December 2018 Group Exhibition Gutai 69th Street, New York
Contemporary art exhibition, Takesada Matsutani, drop in time at Hauser & Wirth, Somerset, United Kingdom Closed 29 September 2018–1 January 2019 Takesada Matsutani drop in time Somerset

Recent Artworks

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MATSU113244-hires.jpg by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, drawing
Takesada Matsutani MATSU113244-hires.jpg, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, graphite pencil, acrylic on canvas
219.7 x 200 x 3.8 cm
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MATSU113243-hires.jpg by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, sculpture, drawing
Takesada Matsutani MATSU113243-hires.jpg, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, graphite pencil, acrylic on canvas mounted on plywood board
270.5 x 229.9 x 4.4 cm
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The Target by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, sculpture, drawing
Takesada Matsutani The Target, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, acrylic, graphite pencil on canvas, plywood board
219.7 x 200.3 x 3.8 cm
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Circle - 21.6 by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, drawing
Takesada Matsutani Circle - 21.6, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, acrylic, graphite pencil on Japanese paper and canvas
185.4 x 185.4 x 16.5 cm
Hauser & Wirth Enquire
Circle Yellow-19 by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, sculpture
Takesada Matsutani Circle Yellow-19, 2019 Vinyl adhesive, acrylic, canvas, plywood
162.6 x 162.6 x 8.9 cm
Hauser & Wirth Enquire
Point de contact 2021-2 by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork drawing, mixed media
Takesada Matsutani Point de contact 2021-2, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, graphite pencil on canvas
116 x 89 x 6 cm
Hauser & Wirth Enquire
Point de contact-2021.8. by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting
Takesada Matsutani Point de contact-2021.8., 2021 Vinyl adhesive and acrylic on canvas
162 x 130 x 9 cm
Hauser & Wirth Enquire
Germination by Takesada Matsutani contemporary artwork painting, works on paper, sculpture, drawing
Takesada Matsutani Germination, 2021 Vinyl adhesive, graphite pencil, acrylic, ceramic door knob, canvas, plywood board
97.5 x 97.5 x 7 cm
Hauser & Wirth Enquire
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Recent Artworks View All (70) Recent Artworks

Takesada Matsutani In Ocula Magazine

Exhibitions to See in Hong Kong 2020 Ocula Feature Exhibitions to See in Hong Kong 2020 By Tessa Moldan, Hong Kong

As Hong Kong gradually reopens after lockdown, explore the exhibitions taking place this summer.

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Takesada Matsutani In Ocula Advisory

Takesada Matsutani's Forms Reflect the Creative Spirit of Gutai Advisory Pick Takesada Matsutani's Forms Reflect the Creative Spirit of Gutai 5 February 2022

Takesada Matsutani manipulated vinyl adhesive by blowing pockets of air into bulbous forms through his mouth or with a hairdryer. ⁠⁠

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Takesada Matsutani at FIAC Advisory Pick Takesada Matsutani at FIAC 5 March 2021

This beautiful 1986 painting by Japanese Gutai artist, Takesada Matsutani, featured in Hauser & Wirth's FIAC OVR.

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Takesada Matsutani In Related Press

I Didn’t Go Home: Takesada Matsutani Related Press I Didn’t Go Home: Takesada Matsutani 1 February 2019, Mousse Magazine

Hans Ulrich Obrist discusses influences, materials, and trajectories with Takesada Matsutani, a second-generation Gutai protagonist. Throughout his career, Matsutani has continuously developed his voi

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DROP IN TIME TAKESADA MATSUTANI Related Press DROP IN TIME TAKESADA MATSUTANI 1 February 2019, ArtAsiaPacific

It is easy to drive past the clutch of buildings that are Hauser & Wirth's rural outpost in Somerset. They are inconspicuous alongside similar farmsteads concealed in an agrarian landscape of steep in

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Takesada Matsutani on Glue and Gutai Related Press Takesada Matsutani on Glue and Gutai 15 August 2018, Elephant

Takesada Matsutani has been firmly implanted in France after decades of expatriation, and yet retains a distinctly Japanese sensibility to his experimental, gestural practice and exploration of unusua

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The grand old man of the Gutai group: an interview with Takesada Matsutani Related Press The grand old man of the Gutai group: an interview with Takesada Matsutani 30 July 2016, Apollo

'It's important to allow your early work to continue to influence you,' says Takesada Matsutani (b. 1937), pointing to the paintings, drawings, and writings on the floors, pillars, and walls of his cr

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Related Press Read More (4) In Related Press

Takesada Matsutani In Video & Audio

Takesada Matsutani: drop in time Related Video & Audio Takesada Matsutani: drop in time 13 September 2018, Hauser & Wirth

In his Paris studio, Japanese-born artist Takesada Matsutani talks about how he came to join the Gutai Art Association in 1963, moved to Paris in 1966, and how vinyl adhesive glue and graphite have su

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Takesada Matsutani, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, 1 Jul – 3 Sep 2017 Related Video & Audio Takesada Matsutani, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, 1 Jul – 3 Sep 2017 17 August 2018, Hauser & Wirth

Takesada Matsutani talks about his life and work on the occasion of his first Los Angeles solo exhibition on view at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles from 1 July through 3 September 201

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Video & Audio Read More (2) In Video & Audio
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