The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Daelim Museum is set to host Keiichi Tanaami: I’M THE ORIGIN, the first large-scale exhibition in Korea dedicated to the legendary artist Keiichi Tanaami. Running from December 14, 2024, to June 29, 2025, this monumental event features over 700 works spanning the artist’s extraordinary career, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore the creative universe of a true icon in the world of contemporary art.
Keiichi Tanaami, born in Tokyo in 1936, is celebrated as a pioneer of Asian pop art. His multidisciplinary career has traversed graphic design, illustration, video art, and more, consistently pushing the boundaries between fine art and popular culture. This retrospective marks a milestone for the Daelim Museum, expanding into its adjacent annex to accommodate the extensive display, making it the largest exhibition in the museum’s history.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Tanaami’s art is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences during World War II, when he witnessed the horrors of air raids that burned his hometown to ashes. These memories, coupled with his fascination with the surreal and dreamlike, have shaped his distinctive visual language. His works blend the grotesque and the fantastical, incorporating elements of eroticism, traditional Japanese motifs, and vibrant maximalist aesthetics.
The artist’s transformative journey began in his youth, influenced by his friendship with manga artist Kazushi Hara. After Hara’s untimely death, Tanaami shifted his aspirations from manga to graphic design, eventually graduating from Musashino Art University. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1967 when he encountered Andy Warhol’s works in New York. Tanaami recognized Warhol’s strategic blending of art and commercial media, inspiring him to embrace a multidisciplinary approach that would define his legacy.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Tanaami’s contributions to art have been nothing short of revolutionary. His collaborations with renowned musicians, magazines, and brands have cemented his status as a trailblazer, while his works continue to inspire countless artists across the globe. Despite a near-fatal encounter with pulmonary edema in his 40s, Tanaami emerged with a renewed creative vision, delving deeper into themes of life, death, and the subconscious.
At I’M THE ORIGIN, visitors can expect to be immersed in a vibrant and surreal world. From his early graphic designs to his latest multimedia installations, the exhibition reveals Tanaami’s unrelenting passion for innovation and his unique ability to merge Eastern and Western influences. His works not only captivate the eye with their bold visuals but also carry profound messages about society, humanity, and existence.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
The exhibition’s title, I’M THE ORIGIN, underscores Tanaami’s foundational role in shaping the aesthetics of contemporary Asian pop art. As the creator of the “superflat” movement’s roots, Tanaami’s influence reverberates through modern art, design, and culture. His visionary approach broke down barriers between high art and popular media, redefining the possibilities of creative expression.
Daelim Museum invites audiences to step into Keiichi Tanaami’s mesmerizing world and experience the unparalleled energy of his work. For more information, visit the museum’s official website or contact the museum directly.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Daelim Museum is set to host Keiichi Tanaami: I’M THE ORIGIN, the first large-scale exhibition in Korea dedicated to the legendary artist Keiichi Tanaami. Running from December 14, 2024, to June 29, 2025, this monumental event features over 700 works spanning the artist’s extraordinary career, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore the creative universe of a true icon in the world of contemporary art.
Keiichi Tanaami, born in Tokyo in 1936, is celebrated as a pioneer of Asian pop art. His multidisciplinary career has traversed graphic design, illustration, video art, and more, consistently pushing the boundaries between fine art and popular culture. This retrospective marks a milestone for the Daelim Museum, expanding into its adjacent annex to accommodate the extensive display, making it the largest exhibition in the museum’s history.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Tanaami’s art is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences during World War II, when he witnessed the horrors of air raids that burned his hometown to ashes. These memories, coupled with his fascination with the surreal and dreamlike, have shaped his distinctive visual language. His works blend the grotesque and the fantastical, incorporating elements of eroticism, traditional Japanese motifs, and vibrant maximalist aesthetics.
The artist’s transformative journey began in his youth, influenced by his friendship with manga artist Kazushi Hara. After Hara’s untimely death, Tanaami shifted his aspirations from manga to graphic design, eventually graduating from Musashino Art University. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1967 when he encountered Andy Warhol’s works in New York. Tanaami recognized Warhol’s strategic blending of art and commercial media, inspiring him to embrace a multidisciplinary approach that would define his legacy.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
Tanaami’s contributions to art have been nothing short of revolutionary. His collaborations with renowned musicians, magazines, and brands have cemented his status as a trailblazer, while his works continue to inspire countless artists across the globe. Despite a near-fatal encounter with pulmonary edema in his 40s, Tanaami emerged with a renewed creative vision, delving deeper into themes of life, death, and the subconscious.
At I’M THE ORIGIN, visitors can expect to be immersed in a vibrant and surreal world. From his early graphic designs to his latest multimedia installations, the exhibition reveals Tanaami’s unrelenting passion for innovation and his unique ability to merge Eastern and Western influences. His works not only captivate the eye with their bold visuals but also carry profound messages about society, humanity, and existence.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
The exhibition’s title, I’M THE ORIGIN, underscores Tanaami’s foundational role in shaping the aesthetics of contemporary Asian pop art. As the creator of the “superflat” movement’s roots, Tanaami’s influence reverberates through modern art, design, and culture. His visionary approach broke down barriers between high art and popular media, redefining the possibilities of creative expression.
Daelim Museum invites audiences to step into Keiichi Tanaami’s mesmerizing world and experience the unparalleled energy of his work. For more information, visit the museum’s official website or contact the museum directly.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Daelim Museum
