Poster design: Yokoo Tadanori
Death casts a shadow across Yokoo Tadanori’s work, in a counterpoint to its overflowing vitality. From imagery suggestive of death, such as skulls and skeletons, to elements from personal memory, including photographs of deceased classmates and skies turned red by air raids, these varied expressions of death confront the viewer with powerful force.
This exhibition explores Yokoo’s perspectives on death by deciphering recurring imagery in his works, through which he continues to depict life while unflinchingly reflecting on death.
Section 1 focuses on skulls, as well as Yokoo’s distinctive allegories, tracing the development of his view of life and death through painting. Section 2 presents a celebratory spectacle of coexistent life and death unfolding within the venue. Skulls dwelling in everyday objects, such as tableware and clothing, beckon visitors on a journey from this world into the next. Section 3 stages a festival of skulls in poster form, as skulls that once adorned the streets travel through time to join a grand reunion.
This exhibition is a revival of the as-yet-unrealized Yokoo Tadanori’s Skull Festival, canceled just before its opening in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope it offers unique opportunities to reflect on death and life while exploring Yokoo’s perspectives on mortality.
Adult ¥800
University students ¥600
Age 70 and over ¥400
High school students and younger Free
Organized by Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art (Hyogo Arts & Culture Association), Setouchi Art Museum Link Executive Committee, Fukutake Foundation, Japan Arts Council and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Supported by Nakagawa Chemical Inc.
In cooperation with Hotel Okura, Kobe, Art Planet.Y, HIGURE 17-15 cas, Skull Museum
Setouchi Art Museum Link
As a wide-area collaboration project for the Setouchi Triennale 2025, which will be held from April 18, 2025, eight art museums across three prefectures— Kagawa, Okayama, and Hyogo—will host exhibitions primarily showcasing works by contemporary Japanese artists during the festival period. A common discount ticket for all eight museums will be available from the link below.
The ticket is valid for “Revival! Yokoo Tadanori’s Skull Festival (2025 Sep.13—Dec.28).”
Setouchi Art Museum Link official website:
