Afro-Mingei

Based in Chicago’s South Side, Theaster Gates is internationally renowned for his diverse artistic practice, which encompasses sculpture, ceramics, architecture, music, performance, fashion and design. Influenced by Japanese craft, Gates began exploring it during a ceramics study trip to Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, in 2004. This encounter, along with his African-American heritage rooted in Mississippi and Chicago, forms the basis of his creative process. Gates coined the term Afro-Mingei, combining the philosophies of the Japanese Mingei movement with the Black Is Beautiful aesthetic of the American civil rights movement.

His first solo exhibition in Japan, Theaster Gates: Afro-Mingei, will showcase his unique fusion of cultures and explore the importance of contemporary art that honors craft while addressing race and politics. The exhibition will run from April 24 to September 1, 2024 at the Mori Art Museum. For more information, visit the Mori Art Museum website.