Special Exhibitions 2025-26
“Eyes on Mexico”
Mexico attracted the attention of many Japanese artists in the 1950s. In particular, the Mexican Art Exhibition held at the Tokyo National Museum in 1955 was an intense source of inspiration for artists. From amongst the myriads of artists who were attracted to Mexico, this exhibit shines a spotlight on FUKUZAWA Ichiro, OKAMOTO Taro, TONEYAMA Kojin, AKUTAGAWA (MADOKORO) Saori, and On KAWARA, and explores how they felt about Mexico. It also looks at the efforts to popularize Mexican art employed by HOMMA Masayoshi, the first Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama, and traces the sources of our Mexican art collection.
February 1 (Saturday), 2025 – May 11 (Sunday)
Adults: 900 yen
High school and university students: 720 yen
“The 73nd Saitama Prefectural Art Exhibition”
This is the largest public exhibition in the prefecture with a vast number of exhibits. Around 2,000 works will be on display, including selected works chosen by the jury.
Category│Japanese-style Painting, Western-style Painting, Sculpture, Crafts, Calligraphy, Photography
May 28 (Wednesday), 2025 – June 19 (Thursday)
Adults: Free
High school and university students: Free
※Admission fee to the MOMAS Collection is half-price during the prefectural exhibition.
“Nerhol”
Nerhol is an artist duo that formed in 2007, and consists of graphic designer TANAKA Yoshihisa (1980–) and sculptor IIDA Ryuta (1981–). Their core art making method is an original process of carving a cluster of output paper containing images extracted from a series of photographs or videos. They then fuse the scope of observation with other people and other regions, and deepen the image space into a complex entanglement of cause and effect that transcends time and space, and a rich expression that is even able to communicate narratives that have been made visually opaque. This exhibition focuses mainly on their new works and unshown works, with a journey through their private exhibition at the Chiba City Museum of Art (2024), which looked back on the progression of their expressive projects. It is a wonderful opportunity to witness the current state of their multilayered exploration and their new developments in expressive communication.
July 12 (Saturday), 2025 – October 13 (Monday/Holiday)
Adults: 1,400 yen
High school and university students: 1,120 yen
“NOJIMA Yasuzo and SAITO Yori”
NOJIMA Yasuzo (1889-1964) was born in Urawa. From the late Meiji period through the Taisho period, he produced photographs heavily influenced by painting. Later, he joined the New Photography Movement and showed works in venues such as the magazine Koga and the Photography Division of the KOKUTEN Exhibition. SAITO Yori (1885‒1959) from Kazo first learned Western-style painting in Kyoto, and then went to study in France. After returning to Japan, Saito worked to spread new Western artistic trends, but was also gradually influenced by Japanese genres such as Nanga ink wash paintings. In his later years, he explored his own free and unique painting style.
Nojima and Saito are also both known as supporters of art in the same era, in their own positions such as a gallery owner and collector, and in taking up the mantle of critic and educator. Not only does this exhibition follow their paths as creators with a connection to Saitama Prefecture, it also highlights their relationship in the Taisho period and uses historical materials and the works of related artists to explore the vision they both imbued into art.
November 1 (Saturday), 2025 – January 18 (Sunday), 2026
Adults: 1,400 yen
High school and university students: 1,120 yen
“Behind the Scenes of MOMAS Collection”
The Museum of Modern Art, Saitama , first opened its doors in 1982, and has currently collected over 4,000 works through its continuous collection efforts. In this exhibition, our curators have selected works from that collection through the lens of various perspectives, and displays them based on the results of research. This exhibition is similar to an anthology of short stories in the way it establishes multiple separate themes while digging deep into the museum collection. Through the process of surveying and researching the collected works, which is one of the main responsibilities of curators, we strove for an even deeper understanding of the artwork and related materials to present a new perspective on the collection and aspects that are not usually available for observation and consideration.
February 7 (Saturday), 2026 – May 10 (Sunday)
Adults: 1,000 yen
High school and university students: 800 yen
Artist project
Artist project #2.08 Matsudaira Rina Code and Mode
MATSUDAIRA Rina (1989-) creates representational paintings based on the materials and techniques of Japanese-style painting and Eastern painting. Based on the theme of the lessons Matsudaira has learned from artists of the past (Code) and her own individual style (Mode), this exhibition introduces 16 MATSUDAIRA works, including 10 new pieces.
February 1 (Saturday), 2025 – May 11 (Sunday)
Adults: Free
High school and university students: Free
Artist project #2.09 EGASHIRA Makoto
EGASHIRA Makoto(1986-) is an artist who uses the flower-patterned blankets that were popular in post-war Japan to create unique three-dimensional works and exhibition spaces. By enveloping old furniture and already-made products with blankets, he fleshes out organic forms and gently evokes the memories associated with objects and spaces. This exhibition focuses on Egashira's installation work mixed with new pieces.
February 7 (Saturday), 2026 – May 10 (Sunday)
Adults: Free
High school and university students: Free
MOMAS Collection 2025-26
June 7 (Saturday), 2025 – August 31 (Sunday)
“Selection”
We introduce the work of PICASSO and other masterpieces from the MOMAS Collection.
“Special: Commemorating 50 Years since the Debut of YAMAMOTO Yoko”
This year marks 50 years since the first solo exhibition of YAMAMOTO Yoko. This exhibition looks back on her debut era and introduces her early works from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.
September 6 (Saturday), 2025 – November 30 (Sunday)
“Selection”
We introduce the work of FOUJITA and other masterpieces from the MOMAS Collection.
“Artist Picture Books”
This exhibition combines the prints and picture books of MOTONAGA Sadamasa and Tiger TATEISHI.
“The MOMAS Zoo”
A large collection of art showcasing animals! This exhibition deciphers the perspective of artists who work with animal themes and the relationship between people and animals.
December 6 (Saturday), 2025 – March 1(Sunday), 2026
“Selection”
This exhibition introduces trends in modern Japanese art centering mainly on the Taisho Era, mixing in Western artwork that inspired Japanese artists of the time.
“MOMAS Yurui Paintings, Simple Paintings”
This exhibition introduces collected works based on the theme of the cute and humorous yurui (meaning “relaxed and slow” in Japanese) style seen in modern Japanese painting.
March 7 (Saturday), 2026 – May 31 (Sunday)
“Selection”
We introduce the work of SIGNAC and other masterpieces from the MOMAS Collection.
“Recent Acquisitions”
Newly acquired works in recent years will be introduced.
“Mind / Body”
This exhibition introduces collected works based on the theme of the spiritual and material nature of the human body, and the reason and instinct of humans, as expressed through art.