Alison Bradley Projects is thrilled to announce that Tadaaki Kuwayama (1932–2023) has recently entered into the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Kuwayama's TK3683-77, acquired by MoMA, is an exemplary illustration of the artist's signature monochrome canvases joined together by aluminum. When asked by curator Russell Storer about this system, Kuwayama stated: “First I did two panels, multiple panels joined together. If the panels are made in the same color, then this is a joint line, right—not a drawn line, which means you cannot deny it. If you paint a line, this is already to me a composition.”
His monumental 1971 work, TK14194-71, spanning more than sixteen feet in width,
is now in The Met's collection through the generous donation of Marguerite Steed Hoffman. This significant recognition further cements Kuwayama’s legacy as a pioneering figure in postwar abstraction, whose rigorous and radical approach to painting continues to resonate across generations.
These acquisitions mark a pivotal moment in the institutional appreciation of Kuwayama’s work, underscoring his enduring influence within the history of minimal and non-objective art. As a New York City resident for more than 65 years, Kuwayama's inclusion in these prestigious collections is particularly meaningful.
We are additionally pleased to share that Kuwayama's papers, including all professional correspondence and exhibition ephemera since moving to New York City in 1958, has entered into the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art. The Archives of American Art is the world’s preeminent and most widely used research center dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to primary sources that document the history of the visual arts in America.
We are honored to see Kuwayama's contributions recognized by such esteemed institutions.
