Gallery Sumire is proud to present their latest group exhibition ‘Rethink – Rethinking Realism’! From Thursday 24th September until Wednesday 30th September 2026, Gallery Sumire will be celebrating the art of realism and encouraging viewers to ask, what is realism? Explore nine unique interpretations of realism that will spark the imagination and allow visitors to gain a new understanding and appreciation for this artistic genre. ‘Rethink’ will feature works from Lo Chan-Peng, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Ryota Miura, Kana Tsumura, Yosuke Kawashima, Taro Uchida, Mitsuru Ichikawa, Shishun Oh, and Shohei Okamura.
Rethink — Rethinking Realism —
Exhibition Dates: September 24 – September 30 2026
Venue: Artglorieux GALLERY OF TOKYO, 5F, GINZA SIX
Gallery Sumire
For more information on the exhibition including viewing and purchasing online please visit their website or email the gallery at info@gallerysumire.com
About Gallery Sumire
Founded in 2006, Gallery Sumire is an independent art gallery based in Tokyo, Japan who are focused on introducing and uplifting Japanese artists who embody the heart of Japanese tradition and history.
The gallery’s name stems from the Japanese word for violets (菫), a flower favoured by ancient Greece that represent honesty and a symbol of the rising Earth. The sumire has been a beloved flower in Japan since the Manyo era, and it is a flower that often appears in waka and haiku. This profound flower has a gentle bloom and a captivating beauty that evokes the aesthetic sense of the Japanese people. Its ability to bloom from the gaps in cobblestone pavements conveys the spirit of Westerners, creating a common sense of ”beauty” that transcends time and culture. Gallery Sumire reflects this timeless beauty and cross pollination between Eastern and Western cultures.
Gallery Sumire has helped to introduce fresco painting to Japan, which is a classic Italian technique that has been passed down through the generations. Moving forward into the future, the gallery hopes to continue to disseminate to not only Japan but also globally showcasing Japanese traditions and helping to shape the future of Japanese culture.
Rethink — Rethinking Realism —
Through the realist expressions of contemporary artists, this exhibition invites us to reconsider the question: What is “Realism”?
Beyond their exceptional technical mastery lies the profound vision and thought of each artist. Through their works, we hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to “Rethink” the evolution and possibilities of realist painting.
Exhibiting Artists: Lo Chan-Peng, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Ryota Miura, Kana Tsumura, Yosuke Kawashima, Taro Uchida, Mitsuru Ichikawa, Shishun Oh, Shohei Okamura
