ART | Abraham Cruzvillegas' First Solo Exhibition in Japan

ART│A Leading Figure in Mexican Conceptual Art

First Solo Exhibition in Japan by Abraham Cruzvillegas at Rat Hole Gallery

The first solo exhibition in Japan by Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas, "Autodestrucción5: Netsukumogamishungaseppuku," opens on Friday, July 4th, at Rat Hole Gallery in Minami-Aoyama. Running until Sunday, September 14th, the exhibition will feature new works created during his residency.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

Referencing Traditional Japanese Art, New Works Presented Through On-Site Creation

Born in Mexico City in 1968, Abraham Cruzvillegas continues to be based in Mexico. He studied art and philosophy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and gained recognition as a central artist in the conceptual art movement that emerged in Mexico City in the late 1980s and 1990s. His work explores issues of identity and self-construction through economic, social, and political lenses, and he has exhibited widely in international shows.

Growing up in a self-built home, Cruzvillegas's practice is rooted in improvisational craftsmanship, where the context of creation and spontaneity play significant roles. His work is particularly known for its use of found objects—such as scrap materials, discarded metal, recycled plastics, and animal waste—and spans a wide range from small, self-contained sculptures to large-scale architectural installations.

For this exhibition, his first solo show in Japan and created during his residency, he references traditional Japanese arts including netsuke, shunga, and ikebana. Works composed of small found objects, under the concept of "arrangement," are scheduled to be presented.

Cruzvillegas's art transforms textures and forms, creating shifts in the meaning and interpretation of specific places, times, and contexts. This exhibition invites us to witness the unique chemical reactions that occur when his work encounters Japanese culture. We look forward to the pieces he will present for the first time in Japan.

Abraham Cruzvillegas Exhibition
"Autodestrucción5:
Netsukumogamishungaseppuku"
Dates: Friday, July 4 – Sunday, September 14 (Closed Mondays and August 11-15)
Hours: 12:00 – 20:00
Venue: Rat Hole Gallery
B1, 5-5-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6419-3581