Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers

Amidst the profound social change and political turmoil of 1960s post-war Japan, a bold generation of avant-garde artists emerged. Their groundbreaking creations not only captured the spirit of their time but also transformed the global art landscape forever. 

The 1960s era in Japan was a time of profound social change, political unrest and student protests. The turbulent times of the postwar era inspired an artistic explosion in Japan, with the emergence of a revolutionary scene of avant-garde artists who pioneered many disciplines: experimental and erotic photography, “Angura” theatre and underground street performances, apocalyptic Butoh dance, surreal illustrations and seminal graphic design.