Experience Cultural Fusion at “Theaster Gates: Glorious Robe” Exhibition
Kyoto’s renowned Nishijin textile house HOSOO is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition in collaboration with acclaimed contemporary artist Theaster Gates. Titled “Theaster Gates: Glorious Robe,” this innovative showcase will be open to the public from April 11 to August 30, 2026, at HOSOO GALLERY in Kyoto, and admission will be free.
Building on a Collaborative Legacy
This exhibition marks a continuation of the dialogue between HOSOO and Gates that began with the 2024 “Afro Mingei” exhibition at the Mori Art Museum. Glorious Robe expands this collaboration by presenting a fresh body of work that reinterpret textiles and garments as profound artistic expressions.
A New Garment Born from Cultural Intersection
At the heart of Glorious Robe lies the remarkable Dashikimono, a hybrid garment blending West African dashiki with the traditional Japanese kimono. The dashiki, historically a symbol of identity and resistance within the Black Power movement of the 1960s, contrasts sharply with the kimono, which embodies centuries of Japanese textile mastery. This unique fusion transforms clothing into more than just fashion; it becomes a vessel of history, ideology, and collective memory.
A recurring motif in Gates’ work is the “Vessel,” which serves as both a functional object and a carrier of cultural narratives and spirituality. In this exhibition, garments and vessels symbolize the body itself, acting as conduits for cultural stories that are preserved and evolved across generations.
Memory and Politics Woven into Obi
The exhibition also features a poignant collection of works incorporating traditional Japanese obi sashes that honor leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers. Each obi showcases symbolic raised-fist motifs alongside the years of each leader’s passing, marrying personal remembrance with broader historical narratives.
Originally featured in Gates’ solo exhibition “1965: Malcolm in Winter: A Translation Exercise” at White Cube Bermondsey, these pieces are rooted in archival materials concerning Malcolm X compiled by journalist Mamoru Nagata and researcher Kasuga Ishitani. Their work plays a crucial role in introducing the narrative of the Black American liberation movement to Japan.
In this setting, the obi emerges as a medium steeped in remembrance and engaged with historical and political narratives, reinforcing Gates’ mission of revitalizing cultural memory through art.
A Multidisciplinary Exhibition Bridging Craft and Archive
This exhibition also expands Gates’ exploration of ceramic forms, utilizing his signature “Vessel” designs wrapped in textured textiles reminiscent of traditional tea caddy covers. Earlier works such as “Banner” and “Kimono,” first showcased in Afro Mingei, will also be revisited.
Furthermore, the exhibition will integrate auditory and performance dimensions, highlighted by a recorded reading by Kasuga Ishitani and a gospel rendition from Tsugaru shamisen artist Yutaka Oyama—making its Japanese debut.
Gates’ multidisciplinary approach reflects his commitment to resurrecting archival narratives. In Glorious Robe, garments and vessels are viewed as “spiritual containers,” instigating contemplation on the interconnectedness of craft, ritual, and collective memory in fostering social and cultural movements.
Where Nishijin Textile Meets Contemporary Art
Founded in 1688, HOSOO represents over 1,200 years of textile tradition in Kyoto. Today, it holds an impressive archive of approximately 20,000 obi design patterns, blending time-honored techniques with modern innovations to cater to global markets. This exhibition actively integrates these archival designs, showcasing the dynamic interplay between historical craftsmanship and contemporary artistic expression.
About Theaster Gates
Theaster Gates is a celebrated contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary work crosses boundaries between sculpture, ceramics, performance art, and urban revitalization. His projects frequently illuminate overlooked aspects of Black culture, reinterpreting objects, archives, and spaces to create new value systems.
With a background in both sculpture and urban planning, Gates employs art as a social and cultural practice. Recently, his works delve into the theme of “Black space,” engaging deeply with collective memory, history, and identity. His prominent exhibits have included showcases at the Smart Museum of Art in Chicago, the Fundação Albuquerque in Sintra, Portugal, and the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. Gates has received numerous accolades, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Isamu Noguchi Award.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Title: Theaster Gates: Glorious Robe
Dates: April 11 – August 30, 2026
Venue: HOSOO GALLERY (412 Kakimotocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto)
Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 15 minutes before closing)
Admission: Free
Website: www.hosoogallery.jp
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