"Pop Art," which spread mainly in America during the 1960s, incorporated everyday images from press photos, commercial advertisements, and mass-produced product packaging into art, expressing them sometimes colorfully and sometimes satirically.
In this exhibition, inspired by the nickname "The Fabulous Four (FAB 4)" of the Beatles, a British band that rose to fame during the same era, the focus is on four American Pop Art artists: Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), and Jasper Johns (1930-). Additionally, the exhibition introduces Robert Indiana, James Rosenquist, Tom Wesselmann, and Jim Dine, who were active during the same period. In an era shaken by war and social issues, they transformed art and society through their connections with popular culture and rock music.
All exhibited works are from the collection of Spanish collector José Luis Rupérez, marking their Japanese debut. Please enjoy the world of Pop Art, which continues to fascinate people through approximately 120 prints, posters, and fashion items.
Exhibition Highlights
Japanese debut of approximately 120 Pop Art works from the collection of Spanish collector José Luis Rupérez, featuring prints, posters, and fashion items
Pop Art introduced through its relationship with 1960s American society, music, and fashion
Multiple enriching events for both adults and children to enjoy Pop Art even more
Exhibition Overview
Exhibition Name: Special Exhibition POP ART: THE FAB4! & 4 SPECIAL GUESTS
Period: February 5, 2026 (Thursday) to March 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (admission until 30 minutes before closing)
However, opens at 10:00 AM on February 5 (Thursday); extended hours until 7:00 PM on February 22 (Sunday) and March 29 (Sunday)
Closed: No holidays during the exhibition period
Venue: Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art, 3rd Floor Exhibition Room, 2nd Floor Exhibition Room
Advance Tickets
General: ¥1,040, University Students: ¥720*
Advance ticket sales locations: Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art, Seven-Eleven (Seven Ticket)
(Seven Code: 113-324, Sales page: https://7ticket.jp/s/113324)
*Sales period: Until February 4 (Wednesday)
*Please note that advance tickets cannot be purchased at the museum on closed days.
Same-Day Tickets
General: ¥1,300, University Students: ¥900*, 75 years and older / High school students and younger: Free*
*Sold at the museum and Seven-Eleven (Seven Ticket) [common advance ticket code] during the exhibition period
With Children Day
General: ¥1,040, University Students: ¥720*
Every Saturday during the exhibition period, guardians (up to 2 people) accompanying high school students or younger children receive a 20% discount from the same-day price.
*Cannot be combined with other discounts
*Please present your student ID or proof of age / Same-day tickets only, group rate for 20 or more people / Those with physical disability certificates, rehabilitation certificates, or mental health and welfare certificates can enter free by presenting their certificate (Miriro ID disability certificate app accepted) at the reception
Organizers: Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art, The Chugoku Shimbun
Planning Cooperation: Brain Trust
Cooperation: Japan Airlines
Support: U.S. Embassy, Spanish Embassy, Chugoku Broadcasting, Hiroshima Television, Hiroshima Home Television, TV Shin Hiroshima, Hiroshima FM Broadcasting, Hiroshima Living Newspaper Co., Ltd., Press Net, KAMON Cable, FM Higashihiroshima 89.7MHz, Onomichi FM Broadcasting
PART I (Chapters 1-3)
The Change is Gonna Come
"Pop Art" was born in mid-1950s Britain and later developed in 1960s America. Artists sought subjects in popular culture, incorporating everyday images produced and consumed in modern society into their works. Pop Art, which also influenced contemporary music and fashion culture, transformed art and society amidst an era of successive social movements such as anti-war protests and civil rights movements.
PART II (Chapters 4-7)
The FAB 4
Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), who referenced comic scenes and made them into paintings; Andy Warhol (1928-1987), who repeated images of celebrities and mass-produced products through screen printing; Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), who incorporated photographs and advertising images from newspapers and magazines into collages; and Jasper Johns (1930-), who used familiar symbols like targets and flags. In this exhibition, these four artists representing American Pop Art are introduced in reference to "The FAB 4," the nickname of the Beatles, a British band that gained fame during the same era.
PART III (Chapters 8-12)
4 Special Guests of Pop Art
In addition to "The FAB 4," the exhibition introduces Robert Indiana (1928-2018), James Rosenquist (1933-2017), Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004), and Jim Dine (1935-), who were active during the same period. At the end of the exhibition, visitors can view "One Cent Life," a poetry collection created through collaboration by Pop Art artists. While Pop Art was not an art movement that promoted common principles or styles, the artists created diverse works while sharing a common sense of the times and awareness of issues.
Related Events
① Lecture "Pop Art and American Culture"
A basic lecture focusing on "Pop Art" in America, explaining it in an easy-to-understand manner while incorporating works from this exhibition.
Tetsuya Oshima
Date: February 21 (Saturday), 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Lecturer: Tetsuya Oshima (Professor, Department of Art Studies, Tama Art University / Director, Tama Art University Museum)
Venue: Museum 1st Floor Art Space
Capacity: 50 people (advance registration required, free participation) *Up to 4 people per group
Deadline: February 8 (Sunday), must arrive by this date
② Elisabeth University of Music Museum Concert "Music Theater × Pop Art"
A concert featuring original video works and original music created by students and faculty of Elisabeth University of Music, inspired by "Pop Art."
Osamu Kawakami
Misato Kasai
Date: February 28 (Saturday) [First performance] 11:00 AM to 11:40 AM [Second performance] 2:00 PM to 2:40 PM
Performers: Direction/Composition: Osamu Kawakami (Associate Professor, Elisabeth University of Music)
Direction/Video: Misato Kasai (Part-time Lecturer, Elisabeth University of Music)
Music/Video Creation: Elisabeth University of Music Creative Program Students
Venue: Museum 1st Floor Art Space
Capacity: 50 people per performance (first-come, first-served, free participation) *Tickets distributed from 9:00 AM on the 1st floor of the museum
③ Workshop "Create Your Pop Art Self-Portrait!"
Create a Pop Art self-portrait by freely combining collages of flyers, newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, etc., deforming your face and painting it with your favorite colors!
Completed works will be displayed in the 2nd floor Art Gallery of the museum.
[Exhibition period: March 10, 2026 (Tuesday) to March 15 (Sunday)]
*Image is a reference work
Date: March 7 (Saturday) [First session] 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM [Second session] 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Instructor: Ai Kajii (Director, Kodomo Atelier Ironowa)
Venue: Museum 1st Floor Art Space
Capacity: 15 people per session (advance registration required) *Up to 4 people per group
Target: Elementary school students and older (elementary school students and younger must be accompanied by guardians)
Participation fee: ¥500
Deadline: February 21 (Saturday), must arrive by this date
④ Museum Concert "The Beatles on Cello and Piano"
Enjoy the famous songs of the Beatles, who gained popularity in the 1960s alongside Pop Art, performed on cello and piano.
Koichi Kawaoka
Hitomi Kimura
Date: March 15, 2026 (Sunday), 3:00 PM to 3:40 PM
Performers: Koichi Kawaoka (Cello)
Hitomi Kimura (Piano)
Venue: 1st Floor Lobby (no registration required, free participation)
⑤ Baby Carriage Tour
A tour for guardians with babies in strollers. Introduces museum facilities such as nursing rooms and the exhibition. Recommended for first-time visitors with babies.
Date: Every Monday during the exhibition period, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructors: Curator in charge, museum volunteers, and others
Venue: 1st Floor Lobby, Exhibition venues, and others
Capacity: About 3 groups per session (advance registration required) *Up to 6 people per group
Target: Guardians of children up to about 1.5 years old using strollers or baby carriers
Participation fee: Exhibition admission required
Deadline: 5 days before each event
⑥ Gallery Talk
Curators will guide you through the exhibition highlights.
Date: February 7, 2026 (Saturday), March 21, 2026 (Saturday), both days 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
Instructor: Exhibition curator
Venue: 3rd and 2nd Floor Exhibition Rooms (no registration required)
Participation fee: Exhibition admission required
⑦ "KURARA Cafe Soraoto" Collaboration Special Menu "SAKEKASU Burger"
"SAKEKASU Burger"
A special burger imagining 1960s America. This limited menu available only during the exhibition period features fragrant sake kasu buns and rich sauce.
Also, on With Children Days (every Saturday during the exhibition period) only, customers who order this special menu will receive an original "Pop Art" exhibition postcard as a gift!
*First 10 customers each week only *One postcard per order *One design only. Ends while supplies last.
Date: February 5, 2026 (Thursday) to March 29, 2026 (Sunday), 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Location: Higashihiroshima Arts and Culture Hall Kurara "KURARA Cafe Soraoto"
Closed: Mondays (may vary depending on holidays and events. Please check the "KURARA Cafe Soraoto" website.)
