Keiichi Tanaami’s major retrospective showcasing is right before the end!
We extend our deepest condolences upon the passing of him.

text: Hirotaka Fujita (Editor-in-chief of ONBEAT)

Almost 3 months have passed since I heard the news that Keiichi Tanaami passed away.
On January 15th, 2024, we visited Tanaami’s atelier and had an interview with him in advance of the exhibition “Keiichi Tanaami: Adventures in Memory” (August 7th – November 11th, 2024 at The National Art Center, Tokyo).
As the exhibition was said to be a large one summarizing his whole works so far, we interviewed him to create an article for “ONBEAT vol.20” which traces his footsteps, from his experiences in childhood to recent works and activities. Even though he might have already been asked the same questions before, Tanaami mildly recalled and talked about his past, never showing us a sour face.

I especially remember Tanaami replied to my remark that I like Aki Yashiro’s “Sanya Blues” when I found a work featuring her in his atelier, “She’s a good singer.”
I was overwhelmed by his strong sense of curiosity, looking at newly-made works crowdedly lining up in the atelier.
Before we left his place, he put his autograph on his art book “PSYCHEDELIC DEATH POP” and gave it with another book “LETTER FROM NEW YORK 50 Years of Letters from Ushio Shinohara to Keiichi Tanaami” as souvenirs.

“ONBEAT vol.20“, in which a long interview with Keiichi Tanaami, who was really kind to us, is published as the opening feature, is now on sale. Please check this issue with Tanaami’s work on its cover.

“ONBEAT vol. 20”

“Keiichi Tanaami: Adventures in Memory”　Information

Date: Wed 7 Aug. – Mon 11 Nov., 2024
* Closed on Tuesdays
Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00
(Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00-20:00)
(Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: The National Art Center, Tokyo Special Exhibition Gallery 1E
7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8558
Official Instagram: @tanaami2024

Official Website