Exhibitoin
May 31, 2025 - May 17, 2026
Inaugural Exhibition - From the Origin to the Future
The inaugural exhibition features representative works and freshly commissioned works by 12 artists and groups, including those who involved with Benesse Art Site Naoshima from its early years, as well as others who have developed a relationship since 2016 when the Benesse Prize moved from Venice to Asia, and also those encountered on research trips in recent years. The works are on view in multiple gallery spaces located on the first floor and two basement floors, as well as the cafeteria and outdoor sites. Through the sharp gazes and questions that art casts upon our times, society and the environment, we are encouraged to think about and reaffirm what is “Well-Being” – the idea rooted in the origin of Benesse’s activities that began in Naoshima.
Exhibition view of Naoshima New Museum of Art Inaugural Exhibition-From the Origin to the Future, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Pannaphan Yodmanee, Aftermath, 2016/2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Martha Atienza, The Protectors 11°02’06.4” N 123°36’24.1” E (2), 2022
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Do Ho Suh, Hub/s, Naoshima, Seoul, New York, Horsham, London, Berlin, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group, The Sweet BOX: MICHI in Transit, 2024
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Cai Guo-Qiang, Head On, 2006
Photo:Kenryou Gu
Shitamichi Motoyuki + Jeffrey Lim, Setouchi "Roaming Family" Photo Studio (From the "Setouchi " " Archive"), 2024
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Exhibition view of Naoshima New Museum of Art Inaugural Exhibition-From the Origin to the Future, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Pannaphan Yodmanee, Aftermath, 2016/2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Martha Atienza, The Protectors 11°02’06.4” N 123°36’24.1” E (2), 2022
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Do Ho Suh, Hub/s, Naoshima, Seoul, New York, Horsham, London, Berlin, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group, The Sweet BOX: MICHI in Transit, 2024
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Cai Guo-Qiang, Head On, 2006
Photo:Kenryou Gu
Shitamichi Motoyuki + Jeffrey Lim, Setouchi "Roaming Family" Photo Studio (From the "Setouchi " " Archive"), 2024
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Artists
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Aida Makoto
Born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan in 1965.
Based in Tokyo.
-
Martha Atienza
Born in Manila in 1981.
Based in Bantayan Island, Philippines.
-
Cai Guo-Qiang
Born in Quánzhōushì, China in 1957.
Based in New York.
-
Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group
Founded in Tokyo in 2005.
Based in Tokyo.
-
Heri Dono
Born in Jakarta, in 1960.
Based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
-
indieguerillas
Founded in Yogyakarta in 1999.
Based in Yogyakarta.
-
Takashi Murakami
Born in Tokyo in 1962.
-
N. S. Harsha
Born in Mysuru, India, in 1969.
Based in Mysuru.
-
Sanitas Pradittasnee
Born in Bangkok in 1980.
Based in Bangkok.
-
Shitamichi Motoyuki + Jeffrey Lim
Born in Okayama, Japan, in 1978. Based in Naoshima, Kagawa, Japan.(Shitamichi)
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1978. Based in Kuala Lumpur.
-
Do Ho Suh
Born in Seoul in 1962.
Based in London.
-
Pannaphan Yodmanee
Born in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Thailand, in 1988.
Based in Bangkok.
June 7 - November 23, 2026
We will be updating part of the inaugural exhibition, installing an outdoor installation by Sanitas Pradittasnee, exhibitions by Okazaki Kenjiro, and presenting the satellite exhibition for Shimomichi Motoyuki’s Setouchi “Yoichi Midorikawa” Museum.
Sanitas Pradittasnee, Garden of Silence (2023).
Photo: Wanchai Phutthawarin.
Okazaki Kenjiro, The hunger of the mind is easier to satisfy than that of the body. As you wander the streets, you are surrounded by buildings—modest yet appealing from the outside, and adequately furnished within. You may encounter polite, well-dressed individuals who tactfully avert their gaze. The sound of rain blended with their splashing, and a long-drawn sigh seemed to float above the overturned skiff—the endless, labouring sigh of earth. Embracing her knees with hands, resting chin upon them, on the pale patch of her face they seemed immense, because of blue marks below them. The rain fell in thin, cold threads, each drop tracing its path down my skin. Her breath, warm and alive, brushed my cheek. The wind rose wild, untamed, howling as if a creature in pain, while waves surged and broke against the skiff, restless at sea. (2024)
Photo: Nakagawa Shu
Heri Dono, Angels Fallen from the Sky, 2004
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Heri Dono, The Odyssey of Heridonology, 2014
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Heri Dono & indieguerillas, Consciousness of Humanity : a Journey to the Center, 2024-2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
N.S.Harsha, Happy Married Life, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Aida Makoto, MONUMENT FOR NOTHING - Red TORII Gate, 2025
Photo:MIYAJIMA Kei
Sanitas Pradittasnee, Garden of Silence (2023).
Photo: Wanchai Phutthawarin.
Okazaki Kenjiro, The hunger of the mind is easier to satisfy than that of the body. As you wander the streets, you are surrounded by buildings—modest yet appealing from the outside, and adequately furnished within. You may encounter polite, well-dressed individuals who tactfully avert their gaze. The sound of rain blended with their splashing, and a long-drawn sigh seemed to float above the overturned skiff—the endless, labouring sigh of earth. Embracing her knees with hands, resting chin upon them, on the pale patch of her face they seemed immense, because of blue marks below them. The rain fell in thin, cold threads, each drop tracing its path down my skin. Her breath, warm and alive, brushed my cheek. The wind rose wild, untamed, howling as if a creature in pain, while waves surged and broke against the skiff, restless at sea. (2024)
Photo: Nakagawa Shu
Heri Dono, Angels Fallen from the Sky, 2004
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Heri Dono, The Odyssey of Heridonology, 2014
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Heri Dono & indieguerillas, Consciousness of Humanity : a Journey to the Center, 2024-2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
N.S.Harsha, Happy Married Life, 2025
Photo:Takeru Koroda
Aida Makoto, MONUMENT FOR NOTHING - Red TORII Gate, 2025
Photo:MIYAJIMA Kei
Artists
-
Aida Makoto
Born in Niigata Prefecture, Japan in 1965.
Based in Tokyo.
-
Martha Atienza
Born in Manila in 1981.
Based in Bantayan Island, Philippines.
-
Cai Guo-Qiang
Born in Quánzhōushì, China in 1957.
Based in New York.
-
Heri Dono
Born in Jakarta, in 1960.
Based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
-
indieguerillas
Founded in Yogyakarta in 1999.
Based in Yogyakarta.
-
Midorikawa Yoichi
The satellite exhibition for Shitamichi Motoyuki’s Setouchi“Yoichi Midorikawa”Museum
1915 to 2001
-
Takashi Murakami
Born in Tokyo in 1962.
-
N. S. Harsha
Born in Mysuru, India, in 1969.
Based in Mysuru.
-
Okazaki Kenjiro
Born in Tokyo in 1955.
-
Sanitas Pradittasnee
Born in Bangkok in 1980.
Based in Bangkok.
-
Do Ho Suh
Born in Seoul in 1962.
Based in London.
-
Pannaphan Yodmanee
Born in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Thailand, in 1988.
Based in Bangkok.
