Takesada Matsutani

Osaka-born artist Takesada Matsutani is back to London for his first exhibition here in over a decade. This showcase arrives at a special milestone, marking 60 years since he first began living and working in Paris. Matsutani is a master at transforming simple materials into something extraordinary; he breathes new life into everything from classic oils and graphite to unexpected items like cotton and vinyl glue. Organized in collaboration with Olivier Renaud-Clement, the exhibition features everything from his dramatic 1988 sculpture, ‘The Magic Box,’ to brand-new works that show off his latest experiments with glue.

As one of the last surviving members of the legendary Japanese avant-garde group, Gutai, Matsutani’s story is one of incredible dedication. He originally moved to Paris in 1966 after winning a top prize in the Mainichi Art Competition, and he has been a fixture of the art world ever since. Even at 89 years old, Matsutani still spends every day in his studio. You can feel that tireless energy radiating from every piece in the gallery, bridging the gap between his historic early works and the fresh canvases he’s creating today.