RINN by Joseph Walsh 2018

Continuing the celebrations that began in 2017 in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, Yufuku Gallery proudly presents the official Japan debut of Irish artist Joseph Walsh at the Sogetsu Art Centre in Akasaka, Tokyo in November 2018.

Entitled RINN, Yufukuʼs upcoming collaboration with Joseph will mark the first time his signature oeuvre will be displayed in its entirety in Asia, including iconic pieces from his Enignum series. Moreover, these works will be exhibited within the striking atrium space entitled “Heaven”, created by the legendary sculptor Isamu Noguchi, and situated in the heart of the Sogetsu Art Centre in Akasaka, the headquarters of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana flower arrangement.

As one of the worldʼs preeminent artists in sculptural furniture, Joseph has persevered to challenge our preconceptions of what art, sculpture and furniture can be, and it is without question that his elegantly visceral silhouettes have the power to dramatically change space itself. With works in the collections of leading global institutions such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Art and Design in New York City, and the National Museum of Ireland, among others, Joseph is widely considered to be the leading furniture artist of his generation.

The Sogetsu School of Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara, and is well-known as the preeminent school for avant-garde flower arrangement in Japan. The current head of the school, Akane Teshigahara, is the 4th Head of the School and is the granddaughter of Sofu. Not only is the atrium of their Akasaka headquarters made by Noguchi, the building itself has been designed by world-renowned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.

An exhibition can often seem like the end of a creative journey. The result of ideas conceived, edited and refined until they finally become objects and then ultimately, objects in dialogue with one another. This exhibition, entitled RINN, represents a certain point, a moment in time along the way. It is as much about the beginning of the journey as it is about the end. It speaks of an evolution in my work, from the past through to an expression of the now. Most importantly, it is also a dialogue with Japan, with Yufuku and the Sogetsu Foundation, and how the experience of having my work here will inform and influence the future.

Rinn is a Gaelic word, which can be translated from the Irish language as a place, point or headland. Often used in place names in Ireland – for example Rinnroan, the point of the seals – it is also used in a poetic context to describe the emphasised point at the end of a line that relates to the
next which is unemphasised, as in Rinn agus Airdrinn. For me, the title of this exhibition refers to my connection to place, both here in Ireland and in my dialogue with the Sogetsu atrium created by Isamu Noguchi, the place chosen for the exhibition. RINN; a point and certain place along a journey, one of importance, which will have a lasting influence and be expressed in the future.

Joseph Walsh