https://yomitime.com/noda-masaaki-50th-anniversary-exhibition/
October 3, 2025 issue | 12″
Artist Masaaki Noda: “The Past Becomes the Future”
50 Years of Indecision and Experimentation: Retrospective of New York-Based Artist Masaaki Noda
Hesitation, Experimentation, Challenge
50 Years of History Revealed through Unpublished Works
The past 50 years have been filled with trial and error, uncertainty, experimentation, and desperation,” says Masaaki Noda, a New York-based artist active around the world. Celebrating his 50th anniversary as an artist this year, he will be holding a solo exhibition, “Past Becoming Future,” at the Japanese American Association Gallery from October 2nd (Thursday) to the 11th (Saturday).
Noda is originally from Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Ever since he was old enough to understand, he loved drawing and making things, and when he went to university, he decided to become an artist. Since moving to New York in 1977, he has been actively creating art. “At that time, contemporary art had already spread to Japan, and for me, Paris and other cities were a thing of the past. In my twenties, while interacting with artists returning from overseas, the conversation naturally turned to New York. I realized that ‘New York is the hottest place right now,’ and decided to study there,” he recalls.
In the 1970s, New York was renowned as a cutting-edge art city. Punk, graffiti, Neo- Expressionism, Conceptual art, and Minimalism were all simultaneously developing in this vibrant city. A vibrant, experimental environment, where young and established artists coexisted, flourished. It was in this vibrant city that Noda sought self-expression. Immediately after arriving in the United States, he focused on printmaking.
“I see my work, which involved trial and error while swept up in art trends, as an experiment. While my main focus was being a ‘printmaker,’ I foresaw that the flow and change of the times would eventually bring an end to my life as ‘Masaaki Noda,'” he says.
He currently works not only as a printmaker but also as a sculptor. His works are permanently installed in various locations, including his hometown of Fukuyama, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Shimane, New York, Greece, China, and Mongolia.
This solo exhibition will consist of early, unreleased works (14 paintings and 2 sculptures) that were born out of these experiments. “I’ve been conscious of the milestone of ’50 years’ for several years now. This retrospective exhibition brings together previously unreleased works, marking both my age (75) and a ‘career summary.’ It’s also a prelude to a large-scale solo exhibition of new works to be held at a gallery in Chelsea next year. This 50-year milestone marks a series of important solo exhibitions. Through my works, people will have the opportunity to learn how ‘Masaaki Noda’ has arrived at his current state. It’s also an exhibition that allows them to trace his own footsteps.” Looking back at his own journey and conveying the path he has walked is the key to Noda’s thinking. “I want people to appreciate the trajectory of my doubts, struggles, and experiments up to now. I want everyone to know how ‘Masaaki Noda’ has changed over the years. To be honest, it’s not so much about me, but as an artist, isn’t it my destiny to have my work known to the public? This time, as a milestone, I want to show ‘how I have lived my life as an artist.’ I also want to show how I have changed behind the scenes of the works I have released.
This is a part that I don’t usually show, but it would be a shame to leave it buried. Many of my works were experimental, including the story of how I transitioned to sculpture, and people tend to wonder ‘what I was doing,’ but it is thanks to that process that I am who I am today. Looking back, these works all make me think ‘it wasn’t all bad,’ and I hope to be able to show this transformation.”
.
He has reached his current state through various endeavors. What form does he envision for his future activities? “Some of my acquaintances and fellow artists have returned to Japan. Now that I’m older, returning to Japan is an important issue for me, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. So, what form would be best? In recent years, I’ve split my time between Japan and the US, and I’ve also traveled to various parts of the world to exhibit and present.
When I think about my ideal form, the first and most important thing is to be an artist, to continue creating and exhibiting works. With that in mind, I’ve based my activities in New York and Tokyo. Of course, I’m also considering my hometown of Fukuyama, but I don’t think that would be enough in terms of disseminating my work to the world.” It seems that remaining at the forefront of art is an important condition for an artist. “As times change and end, how you survive is important. I’ve been experimenting with a variety of things up until now, and that attitude won’t change in the future. I’ll continue to challenge myself and create, even as I waver and struggle.”
For the 75-year-old Noda, this exhibition is the culmination of his journey to date. Each trial and error and experiment has accumulated and led to his current work and future challenges. As time passes, these attempts have shaped “Masaaki Noda” and will continue into the future. (Casey Taniguchi)
- Thursday, October 2nd – Saturday, October 11th
- *Closed on the 4th and 5th
- Opening reception: Thursday, October 2nd, 5-7pm
- Venue: Japanese American Asssociation Gallery, 49 W. 45th St., 5th Fl. Tel: 212-840-6942
http://masaakinoda.com