Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens

About Isamu Noguchi

The American-Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) is considered one of the most significant modernist sculptors of the 20th century because of his innovative approach to sculpture made a lasting impression on the art world. His international breakthrough came in the 1950s and 60s with his often biomorphic sculptures in stone, wood, and metal.

Noguchi’s coffee table and his Akari light sculptures , made by stretching Japanese washi paper over a wooden frame, are considered design classics.

Book

The book published to accompany the exhibition includes contributions by the Rijksmuseum’s senior curator of sculpture Frits Scholten and guest curator Alfred Pacquement.

Twelfth edition

Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens is the 12th exhibition in the annual series of free outdoor shows at the Rijksmuseum. Previous editions presented sculptural work by Henry Moore (2013), Alexander Calder (2014), Joan Miró (2015), Giuseppe Penone (2016), Jean Dubuffet (2017), Eduardo Chillida (2018), Louise Bourgeois (2019), Ellsworth Kelly (2021), Barbara Hepworth (2022), Richard Long (2023) and Lee Ufan (2024).

Milestone year for The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum

This exhibition takes place in a milestone year for The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York, as the institution celebrates its 40th anniversary. Through its ongoing programming, the Museum promotes creative exploration and reflection around the enduring legacy of Isamu Noguchi.

Thanks

The exhibition Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum gardens is made possible in part by the Don Quixote Foundation/Rijksmuseum Fonds, Pon and the Rijksmuseum Club.