Maruki Gallery to close in summer 2025, undergo renovation, reopen in 2027
Aug. 1, 2023
by Yohei Yamamoto, Staff Writer
The Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels in Higashi-Matsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, will undergo renovation work in order to protect its artwork from earthquakes and deterioration. The renovation aims to better convey the thoughts of Iri Maruki and his wife Toshi Maruki, who created the panels which convey the horrors of the atomic bombing. The gallery will temporarily close in the summer of 2025, the 80th year after the atomic bombing, and will reopen in May 2027.
The gallery opened in 1967 next to the couple’s home to display the Hiroshima Panels. It was originally a one-story building measuring about 400 square meters, but was enlarged and remodeled four times between 1970 and 1991 as more exhibition space became necessary to display new works. It is now a two-story building measuring some 1,200 square meters.
“When bigger exhibition space was made, they painted larger works. Renovation and creation of their works were synchronized,” said Yukinori Okamura, managing director of the gallery.
All of the 15 works of the Hiroshima Panels are 1.8 meters long and 7.2 meters broad, but larger works were also created, including Auschwitz (1977), which is 3.4 meters by 16.1 meters.
This will be the fifth major renovation. While alive, Toshi said about renovation, “I like building additions. But somehow it is harder to add new things while keeping the old things as they are.”
The idea for this renovation was conceived in 2017. Earthquake resistance and insulation need to be improved. The plan will be finalized this fall. “We hope the renovated building will convey what was in the minds of the artists,” said Mr. Okamura. He hopes visitors will see how the gallery was expanded and renovated in the past. The gallery is calling for donations for the renovation.
(Originally published on August 1, 2023)
The Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels in Higashi-Matsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture, will undergo renovation work in order to protect its artwork from earthquakes and deterioration. The renovation aims to better convey the thoughts of Iri Maruki and his wife Toshi Maruki, who created the panels which convey the horrors of the atomic bombing. The gallery will temporarily close in the summer of 2025, the 80th year after the atomic bombing, and will reopen in May 2027.
The gallery opened in 1967 next to the couple’s home to display the Hiroshima Panels. It was originally a one-story building measuring about 400 square meters, but was enlarged and remodeled four times between 1970 and 1991 as more exhibition space became necessary to display new works. It is now a two-story building measuring some 1,200 square meters.
“When bigger exhibition space was made, they painted larger works. Renovation and creation of their works were synchronized,” said Yukinori Okamura, managing director of the gallery.
All of the 15 works of the Hiroshima Panels are 1.8 meters long and 7.2 meters broad, but larger works were also created, including Auschwitz (1977), which is 3.4 meters by 16.1 meters.
This will be the fifth major renovation. While alive, Toshi said about renovation, “I like building additions. But somehow it is harder to add new things while keeping the old things as they are.”
The idea for this renovation was conceived in 2017. Earthquake resistance and insulation need to be improved. The plan will be finalized this fall. “We hope the renovated building will convey what was in the minds of the artists,” said Mr. Okamura. He hopes visitors will see how the gallery was expanded and renovated in the past. The gallery is calling for donations for the renovation.
(Originally published on August 1, 2023)
