First large-scale exhibition in Japan which focuses on Asian women artists. Selection of works by 50 artists in the 4 contemporary art museums in japan.

Artists  : Aisha Khalid, Alma Quinto, Amanda Heng, Ashmina Ranjit, Arahmaiani, Arpita Singh, Ayesha Mariam Durrani, Brenda V. Fajardo, Cao Fei, Dagvasambuu Uuriintuya, Eng Hwee Chu, Habiba Khan, Ha Cha Youn, Hanh Thi Pham, Idemitsu Mako/Imelda Cajipe Endaya, Inoue Hiroko, Ishikawa Mao, Ito Tari, Jane Jin Kaisen, Jung Jungyeob, Kimsooja, Kum Soni, Le Hoang Bich Phuong, Lin Tianmiao, Hou Lulu Shur-Tzy, Machida Kumi, Munkhtsetseg Jalkhaajav, Nalini Malani, Nazlee Laila Mansur, Navjot Altaf, Nge Lay, Nguyen Thi Chau Giang, Nguyen Trinh Thi, Niloofar Chaman, Pinaree Sanpitak, Sakata Kiyoko, Shahzia Sikander, Shilpa Gupta, Shiota Chiharu, Song Hyun Sook, Trinh T. Minh-ha, Watabiki Nobuko, Yamashiro Chikako, Yasmine Kabir, Yee I-Lann, Yeesookyung/Yin Xiuzhen, Yun Suknam, Zarina Hashmi.

Through the works produced from the early 1980s to the present by women artists who were born and based in Asia as well as who live abroad, this exhibition shows women’s various concerns and diversified expressions as well as their changes. In particular, the exhibition is mainly composed of the works based on experiences of social gender role and expected positions/roles as females, awareness of female issues posed by daily life, or concerns with history, war, and ethnicity. Furthermore, by showing current new trends, the exhibition also looks toward the future of works by women artists.

Today, Asian women artists often participate in international exhibitions and the number of women artists who continue to work is increasing. However, it is only in recent years, especially since China’s leading growth in economic development, that international attention has turned to Asia and greater consciousness of gender issues in Asian society has been raised. For a long time, particularly in Japan, there has been a lack of attention given to Asian art and Asian women artists. This exhibition shows the history of artists who work from positions as “Asia” and “women” as well as varied facets of Asian women artists who work flexibly and strongly by using their dual marginalized positions or various social restrictions in each country. This exhibition does not intend to present the works as collective minorities’ voices, but aims to explore creative and positive possibilities of Asian women artists, which are created by crossing “Asia”, “women” and “art”.

(Source: press release)