The UESHIMA MUSEUM, located on the premises of Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen (SKG) in the former British International School, has just opened its doors June 1st 2024, fostering a spirit of “self-investigation and self-thinking” in line with the institution’s educational principles. The museum’s mentor, Mr. Kankuro Ueshima, has curated an imposing contemporary art collection that features prominent Japanese and international artists such as Ryan Gander, Olafur Eliasson, Ryoji Ikeda, Gerhard Richter, teamLab, Chiharu Shiota, Lauren Quin, Oscar Murillo, Takashi Murakami, and Virgil Abloh, among others.

© UESHIMA MUSEUM

“As I began talking to artists and gallery staff about the collection, I frequently heard about the lack of places to view contemporary art. To address this issue, I started by hiring a professional photographer to take photos of all the artworks and pieces I started collecting. I added explanations in Japanese, English, and Chinese, and published them on my website and Instagram. In 2023, I created a space in Kita-sando dedicated to displaying art. Additionally, in 2022 and 2023, I exhibited at Art Collaboration Kyoto and held the UESHIMA COLLECTION exhibition at Philips Tokyo. During this time, my mentor, Tetsuo Tamura, the principal of Shibuya Educational Institute, informed me that the British International School in Tokyo, located within the Shibuya Educational Institute, was looking for a new tenant to relocate to Azabudai Hills. This idea resonated with me. I proposed to use the space creating a museum to display my collection to the public in a place with cultural and historical significance, as well as educational facilities on the premises. Principal Tamura agreed with my idea, and we decided to rent the building. The discussions progressed in detail from there,” explains Mr. Kankuro Ueshima.

© UESHIMA MUSEUM

The museum is laid out in a nonconventional way, with different rooms adapted into art spaces that are accessed independently across the four different floors: B1, 1F, 2F, 4F and 5F. This arrangement creates a sense of exclusivity as visitors are locked in each room, fostering a serene and peaceful atmosphere that amplifies the relationship between the art and the viewer. The art selection is exquisite and multifaceted, featuring sculpture, painting, digital art, light installations, and more. Ueshima’s approach to displaying contemporary art knows no boundaries, aiming to “cultivate true freedom of imagination, innovative thinking, and the revitalization of art,” as stated by the museum. “After selecting works by artists that I particularly wanted to showcase from the collection, I consulted with my advisors, Kamiya and Yamamine, on setting the theme and planning the exhibition,” Mr. Ueshima explained to us.