Entertainment · Books & Arts · 6 days ago
Tokyo gallery apologizes over exhibition criticized for sexualized images of girls
A gallery inside the Imperial Hotel Tokyo apologized on October 15 after works in a group exhibition drew public criticism.
The show, titled “Okikomori-kai,” ran from October 3 to 13 and featured works by multiple artists.
Images shared on social media included depictions of nude girls and works criticized as suggesting sexual violence against girls.
The gallery removed some works during the exhibition after receiving concerns about the display.
It said its checks before opening were inadequate and apologized for not considering the venue and its visitors carefully enough.
The gallery said it does not tolerate sexual violence against children or actions that encourage it, and that such exhibits require careful review.
The curator also faced criticism for a post about the removal that said, “Rather, it lasted three days.”
The gallery says it will strengthen advance checks and take more account of exhibition venues and visitors in future.
MEDEL GALLERY SHU apologized on October 15 after criticism of works shown in its exhibition “Okomorikai” at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo.
Images of works depicting nude girls or said to evoke sexual violence against girls circulated on social media and drew criticism.
The gallery said it removed some works during the exhibition and acknowledged that its checks before display were insufficient.
The exhibition ran from October 3 to 13 and was organized with a curator, not planned or hosted by the Imperial Hotel.
- Who
- MEDEL GALLERY SHU apologized; the exhibition was organized with a curator.
- What
- The gallery apologized for insufficient checks after works at an exhibition drew criticism for depicting nude girls or evoking sexual violence against girls.
- When
- The exhibition ran from October 3 to 13; the gallery apologized on October 15.
- Where
- MEDEL GALLERY SHU, inside the Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
- Why
- Images of works circulated on social media and prompted criticism. The gallery acknowledged insufficient review before the exhibition.
Critics of the exhibition
Exhibition curator
Exhibition content
Critics of the exhibition
Critics said some works depicted nude girls or evoked sexual violence against girls.
Exhibition curator
The curator said the removal of works followed customer requests, and suggested the outcome might not have been unusual.
Removal of works
Critics of the exhibition
Critics objected to the exhibition and to the curator’s comments about the removal.
Exhibition curator
The curator wrote that the works had been removed and said, “It actually lasted three days, which is rather impressive.
The group exhibition “Okomorikai” opened at the gallery.
The curator posted on X about the removal of some works.
After receiving comments about the display, the gallery said it reviewed the works and removed some of them.
The exhibition ended.
The gallery apologized and acknowledged that its checks before display had been insufficient.
- Gallery
- MEDEL GALLERY SHU
- Venue
- Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- Exhibition
- Okomorikai
- Exhibition dates
- October 3–13
- Apology date
- October 15
- Gallery response
- Some works were removed during the exhibition
2 sources
What people are saying
We will never tolerate sexual violence against children or minors, or acts that encourage it.
It actually lasted three days, which is rather impressive.