Starting on April 20, a special art exhibition featuring the works of death row inmates will open at the Tomonoura Museum in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. The prisoners have been sentenced to death but are unaware of when their sentence will be carried out. The exhibition, which contains paintings that were created during a grim time in each prisoner’s life, aims to answer the question, “Why do people express themselves?”
Approximately 300 pieces created by Sumi Hayashi, Ichi Kanagawa, Kou Okashita, Kazutoshi Takahashi, Masashi Hara and other condemned prisoners housed in single cell confinement will be on display. There will also be special talk events featuring editor Kyoichi Tsuzuki, art director Furamu Kitagawa, and neuroscientist Kenichirou Mogi. Those interested can sign up for the events at the official website.
Event Information:
“Art on the Brink ~Expressions of Prisoners Condemned to Death”
April 20, 2013 (Sat) ~ June 23, 2013 (Sun)
Venue: Hiroshima prefecture, Fukuyama Tomonoura Museum
Hours: 10:00 ~ 17:00
Closed: Mondays
General Admission: 500 yen (US $5.34), children 12 and under: free
“Kyoichi Tsuzuki Talk Event”
April 21, 2013 (Sun), 18:00 ~ 20:00
Venue: Hiroshima Tomo Kodomo-en
Presenter: Kyoichi Tsuzuki
Admission: 1,500 yen (US $16)
Limited to the first 100 people
“Furamu Kitagawa Talk Event”
May 12, 2013 (Sun) 14:00~16:00
Venue: Hiroshima Tomo Kodomo-en
Presenter: Furamu Kitagawa
Admission: 1,500 yen (US $16)
Limited to the first 100 people
“Kenichirou Mogi Talk Event”
June 15, 2013 (Sat) 19:00~21:00
Venue: Hiroshima Tomo Kodomo-en
Presenter: Kenichirou Mogi
Admission: 1,500 yen (US $16)
Limited to the first 100 people
Source: Cinra (Japanese)