April 11 (Sat.) - May 5 (Tue.), 2026
at kudan house  /  Kudanshita-Kita 1-15-9, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

BUY A TICKET

The first large-scale solo exhibition in Japan by artist Martin Margiela will be held at kudan House, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, under the title MARTIN MARGIELA AT KUDAN HOUSE. The artist likes the contrast of presenting his contemporary artwork in an historic residence, completed in 1927. The scenography shows a vast number of works, in an ephemeral installation, throughout the entire house.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Having stepped away from the fashion world in 2008 to devote himself fully to his practice as an artist, Martin Margiela has continued to pursue an artistic inquiry centered on the human body, traces, time, and absence. This exhibition marks his first large-scale solo exhibition in Japan, presenting his practice in a comprehensive manner. Margiela’s work is driven by an ongoing exploration of themes such as reuse, disassembly, and transformation in which the human body remains an important source of inspiration. His works emerge from a keen observation of everyday objects and situations, which often go unnoticed. The ordinary turns into something extraordinary. The exhibition will show works in various techniques : collage, painting, drawing, sculpture, assemblage and video. The choice of installing the exhibition in an old house, with traces of domestic life, reflects the atmosphere of privacy, dear to the artist. Visitors are invited to discover the artworks in the complete intimacy of various rooms throughout the entire house. Scenography and curation have been carried out by the artist.
 
Dates: Saturday, April 11th – Tuesday, May 5th (Public Holiday), 2026
Hours: 10:00〜19:00 (Last admission is at 18:00)
*Wednesday, April 29th (Public Holiday) & Tuesday, May 5th (Public Holiday): Last admission at 16:00, closing at 17:00  /  *Thursday, April 30th: 12:00 – 19:00 (Last admission at 18:00)
Venue: kudan house  /  Map
Ticket: 2,500YEN (incl.tax)
Online ticket: https://artsticker.app/events/103820
*This exhibition operates on a timed-entry reservation system. Tickets will be available for purchase via the above website from 15:00 on Wednesday, April 15th.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

1957 Born in Leuven (Belgium)
1980 Graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp
1984-1987 First assistant of Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris
1988 Founded Maison Martin Margiela in Paris, with Jenny Meirens, held his first show
1997-2003 Simultaneously, creative director of women's ready-to-wear at Hermès Paris
2008 Decided to quit fashion, after his 20th anniversary show, to focus exclusively on visual arts
2019 First group exhibition at Bielefeld Kunsthalle
2021 First solo exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations in Paris
2022 The Lafayette Anticipations exhibition opens at MWoods Beijing
2023 The Lafayette Anticipations exhibition opens at Lotte Museum in Seoul
2023 Solo show at Eenwerk Gallery in Amsterdam
2024 Solo shows at Bernier Eliades Galleries in Brussels and Athens

SELECTED WORKS

SHORE SHOES - VANITAS - TORSO - GREYSTEPS

FROM THE ARTIST

“Anonymity is essential to me in order to protect my privacy, vital for my creative freedom. I still have the same interests and obsessions as I did during my time in fashion, but the human body is no longer my sole medium of expression”.
 
“I am an observer since forever and common objects and situations highly inspire me. Even if it is obvious today to use technical assistance of all sorts, I love to insist on showing the process of the hand-crafted wherever I can. This explains my profound love for imperfection, patina and the beauty of the unfinished”.
 
“I prefer to instill questions than to show answers”.

– Martin Margiela

CREDITS

Organized by: Takahito Harada for rin art association
Co-organized by: kudan house
With the cooperation of: Bernier / Eliades Gallery  /  Taka Ishii Gallery  /  
Gallery NAO MASAKI
Sponsor: JINS HOLDINGS Inc.
Production: Kiyoshi Kurotaki  /  Kornieieva Varvara  /  
Yasushi Kurotaki
Production Support: MGS Lighting Co., Ltd.  /  
Genjinsha Co., Ltd.  /  Hirock Design Office  /  Kenzo Kasuya  /  Artifact Ltd.
Web Design & Production: Thought.  /  SA . NA

FOLLOW US

Instagram  (@martin_margiela_at_kudan_house)

CONTACTS

Inquiry About The Exhibition:
rin art association (contact@rinartassociation.com)
Press Contact:
EDSTRÖM OFFICE (press@edstromoffice.com)