Identity of the Collection: Feel Alive at GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku

From time to time, we have the opportunity to see “collection exhibitions” that showcase works gathered by private collectors. Whenever I visit these exhibitions, I always think that the collection reflects not only the collector’s taste but also their philosophy of life and beliefs. While artists express themselves through the works they create, a collection of these works in an exhibition can also be seen as an expression of the collector’s own identity.
The collection exhibition at GALLERY MoMo in Ryogoku features numerous works that highlight the presence of people and evoke scenes of life where these pieces might have been displayed. Why not visit this exhibition and enjoy a pleasant experience?

Personal collections that convey “the meaning of being loved” in various ways.

“Private collections” may seem distant or unrelated to us, but familiar art museums like the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, the Nezu Museum in Omotesando, and the Artizon Museum in Kyobashi were originally founded on works collected by individuals. These collections, which began in the modern era, were often acquired by collectors driven by a mission, such as introducing authentic Western art to Japan. However, I believe that today’s private collections are chosen purely based on the collector’s tastes and preferences.

The exhibition “A Personal View of Japanese Contemporary Art: Takahashi Ryutaro Collection,” currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, features a selection from his private collection of approximately 3,500 pieces. Due to the collector’s unique perspective, this exhibition, as the title suggests, reflects certain aspects of contemporary Japanese art.
However, most private collections are not large enough to be exhibited in museums, and the opportunities to publicly display such collections are often limited. Moreover, it is not uncommon for valuable works to be lost when a collector passes away, raising the broader issue of how to preserve and pass these collections on to future generations. This is not simply a concern for individual collectors.

The collection exhibition at GALLERY MoMo in Ryogoku is being held with the gallery’s hope that it will contribute to addressing these issues. When I visit this exhibition, I’m struck by how deeply loved these works are, just as they are in museum-scale collections. I also feel that the “meaning or reasons for being loved” should be preserved and passed on, even as times change.

The following is a quote from the press release:

GALLERY MoMo Ryogoku is pleased to present “Identity of the Collection: Feel Alive,” a special exhibition by a private collector who has long been a friend of the gallery, from August 17 (Sat) to September 7 (Sat), 2024. This exhibition consists of carefully selected works from his collection.
The gallery was founded in 2003 by private collector Tetsuo Sugita, and it has now been 20 years since its establishment. A gallerist once told us, “After 10 years, you’re finally at the starting line,” and even after 20 years, we are still constantly searching for the way forward as a gallery.
In recent years, we have had more opportunities to talk with collectors about the future of their collections. Since the founder, Sugita, was a private collector, and his family now runs the gallery, we deeply sympathize with the concerns of collectors and their heirs, but we have struggled to find a solution. Many collections last only one generation and are sometimes seen as a burden by the family. However, each piece holds a memory for the collector, and these collections can be considered a part of their identity.

The inspiration for this exhibition came when this collector came to retrieve “The Story of Creatures,” a book cover embroidered with the artist Ryoko Takahashi’s own hair, which had been left at the gallery for some time. The collector mentioned that he had been spending more time reading during his illness and wanted to use this book cover while reading. He also shared that he had kept Takahashi’s “Fish-shaped Amulet” as his personal good luck charm. This experience made us realize how deeply collectors and art are intertwined in daily life and prompted us to consider what we can do as a gallery.

Our gallery often showcases works by young artists, and many of our collectors purchase from us as a way of supporting them. Ideally, the gallery would buy back works when collectors part with them, but we currently do not have the resources to do so and are focused on day-to-day operations. Nonetheless, we are searching for ways to connect these works and the sentiments of our collectors to the next step.
This exhibition aims to assist in organizing the collection, displaying it, and connecting it to new individuals who will treasure it. This project is not merely about the secondary market; it is a new initiative for the gallery, driven by the emotions of collectors and their families. Being a small gallery, we would like to start with what we can quietly achieve.

We hope this exhibition will foster new connections among people and that it will reflect the individual stories behind each work and the collectors, allowing you to see the identity of the collectors that transcends time.​

​Exhibited Artists:

Yasuko Iba, Naomi Okubo, Chika Osaka, Chieko Oshie, Yosuke Kobashi, Takanobu Kobayashi, Tokuro Sakamoto, Koji Nakazono, Takeshi Makishima, Kumi Machida, Shimon Minamikawa, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Gen Yamanaka