Honma Hideaki, Flowing Pattern 2019, 2019, madake & nemagari bamboo, rattan, 39 x 22.5 x 9.25 in.

EXPO CHICAGO
Booth 120
April 24–27, 2025
Opening Night: Thursday, April 24 from 5-8pm
Fair Hours: Thursday, 12-5pm (by invitation only); Friday and Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm
Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago

TAI Modern is thrilled to make its debut at EXPO CHICAGO 2025, taking place April 24–27!

Bamboo art in Japan is a long-overlooked tradition of creative vibrancy. Despite its rich history and astounding range of expression, it is still largely unknown. In its home country, it is often viewed as ancillary to the practices of tea ceremony and ikebana. Today there are less than 100 working bamboo artists in Japan. TAI Modern’s mission is to ensure a future for this art form.

At Expo Chicago, they will exhibit works that they feel represent the best of Japanese bamboo art today. Opening with two show-stoppers – the dynamic Flowing Pattern 2019 by Honma Hideaki and the diaphanous Infinite Sea by Morigami Jin. These works illustrate the dichotomous character of bamboo – strength and flexibility – that make it such a powerful medium for sculptural expression. They will also feature work by two Living National Treasures: a grouping of 3 Lacquered Bamboo Cylinders by Fujinuma Noboru and Fujitsuka Shosei’s 〇△□, an angular vessel from his illusionistic color-shifting series. Other works include the skyscraper-esque Creative City by rising young star Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, the elusive Uematsu Chikuyu’s Song of the Bird, and Torii Ippo’s Midair, part of his decades-long tribute to the flow and movement of water.

Displayed alongside these sculptures will be three abstract paintings by Monique van Genderen, an LA-based artist whose work shares a similar commitment to materiality and passionate engagement with medium.

They look forward to welcoming you to Booth 120!

To view the works, click here.

To learn more about the fair and purchase tickets, click here.