Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) was one of the most exciting Japanese painters of the 19th century. Witty, energetic and imaginative, his art continues to influence numerous artistic styles today, from manga to tattoo art. Hayatsu Architects were commissioned by Royal Academy of Arts to design the exhibition, showcasing over 100 paintings from the Israel Goldman collection.
The traditional Japanese Tokonoma alcove has been reinterpreted with contemporary design and material palette, creating display cases reminiscent of Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly. These cases use Sukiya proportions to offer an authentic Japanese spatial experience for viewing the artwork.
The delicate paintings are protected by 10 mm thick Perspex, framed in English beech wood. Rounded alcoves and filleted frames provide a soft backdrop for the scrolls.
The self-standing cases are made by bending sheet material, ensuring rigidity without a sub-frame and minimizing material use. Collaboration with a maker in Somerset streamlined production, achieving efficient and economical delivery while maintaining high quality.
The gallery walls are painted unevenly in dark charcoal, mimicking the sooted interior of a traditional Japanese Minka house and creating a mysterious setting for Kyosai’s mythical creatures to inhabit after the gallery closes.
