The Swedish Paintings: Nordic Light, the Brilliance of Everyday Life exhibition will open at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo, Ueno Park) on Tuesday, January 27. This article introduces special projects commemorating the exhibition, the official catalog, original merchandise, and more.
Experience the full charm of "100% Sweden" - be sure to visit!
Special Collaboration: Akira Minagawa and Mina Perhonen Join the Celebration
To commemorate the exhibition, designer Akira Minagawa (mina perhonen) has painted a Dala horse, a traditional Swedish craft. Additionally, tote bags featuring Minagawa's original Dala horse design will be sold at the exhibition's special shop (sales begin in mid-February, limited quantities).
Minagawa's connection with Sweden dates back to when he first visited the country at age 19. Through his travels and exposure to local art, he developed the vision "to create designs that are not temporary, but remain in memory for a long time," which became the foundation of his current design philosophy. This bond continues to this day, with his exhibition "DESIGN = MEMORY: Akira Minagawa & minä perhonen" held at the Nationalmuseum in Sweden in 2024, deepening his exchange with the country.
The painted Dala horse and special bags were made possible through Minagawa's relationship with the Nationalmuseum.
Details including the full lineup will be announced later on the official website.
Message from Akira Minagawa
"Swedish Paintings: Nordic Light, the Brilliance of Everyday Life" is now opening. In Northern Europe, daily life varies greatly between the long winter nights and summer's long daylight hours. Living through the harsh cold and dark winters, the warm glow of candlelight and the comforting presence of everyday objects warm people's hearts. Meanwhile, the gentle summer sunlight brings a sense of openness along with the breath of nature. This exhibition offers an opportunity to experience the harsh yet gentle nature and life of Northern Europe through paintings.
Akira Minagawa (mina perhonen Designer)
Akira Minagawa Profile
Founded "minä" (the predecessor to "minä perhonen") in 1995. His design activities, centered on textile design through hand-drawn illustrations, span clothing, furniture, tableware, and spatial direction for shops and accommodations, all close to daily life. He has provided designs to textile brands such as Denmark's Kvadrat and Sweden's KLIPPAN, and also works on illustrations for newspapers and magazines. In 2024, the exhibition "Design = Memory: Akira Minagawa & minä perhonen" was held at the Nationalmuseum in Sweden.
100% Sweden! Official Exhibition Catalog
Swedish painting has been attracting worldwide attention in recent years.
This catalog introduces masterpieces from the golden age through beautiful color plates and comprehensive commentary. It is a valuable publication that reveals the charm of Swedish painters and the background of their creations, which have rarely been introduced in Japan.
- All exhibited works featured in color plates with commentary
- Numerous columns for deeper understanding of Swedish painting
Specifications/Price: 3,300 yen (tax included), A4 variant, 248 pages
Original Merchandise & Collaboration with FIKAFABRIKEN
In addition to original merchandise featuring designs from exhibited works, the special exhibition shop offers limited-edition items including original illustrated Dala horse goods (the "horse that brings happiness," a traditional Swedish craft).
The shop also features limited edition tins in collaboration with FIKAFABRIKEN, a shop in Setagaya specializing in Nordic confections centered on Sweden. These exhibition-original design tins come filled with popular baked goods.
More products will continue to arrive.
For merchandise details: https://www.swedishpainting2026.jp/goods.html
Audio Guide Narrated by JUJU and Satoshi Hino
The audio guide is narrated by JUJU, who as MC of the NHK program "The World is Full of Things We Want" has explored the charm of Nordic goods and culture. Together with voice actor Satoshi Hino's narration, they delve into the appeal of Swedish painting!
Audio Guide Information
Venue Rental Version
Rent a dedicated guide device at the exhibition entrance and enjoy it inside the venue.
Planned rental fee: 650 yen (tax included) per device
*For visitors with hearing impairments, we offer text transcripts of the audio guide for the above fee.
App Distribution Version (iOS/Android)
Planned distribution price: 700 yen (tax included)
Distribution period: During the exhibition period
*The venue rental version and app distribution version have identical content.
Audio Guide Inquiries
Acoustiguide Japan Inc.
TEL: 03-5771-4083 (Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
For audio guide details: https://www.swedishpainting2026.jp/guide.html?gd=gd2
Event Information: "Mellow Friday"
Extended Friday evening hours in February will be Mellow Friday!
Experience the Swedish way of spending a cozy Friday night.
Friday night. After a week of hard work, why not come to the museum to "do nothing"?
In Sweden, there's a custom called "Fredagsmys (Mellow Friday)" - spending Friday nights relaxing with family and friends on the sofa at home. Without overthinking, simply enjoying pleasant time is a reward to oneself.
February's evening opening hours offer a special night to experience this Swedish way of spending time at the museum.
Schedule
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026 (Fridays) 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
Venue: Selected areas within the Swedish Paintings exhibition galleries
Eligible: Visitors with valid admission tickets
- No advance registration required
Exhibition Galleries Become "Relaxation Spaces"
On Mellow Friday evenings, additional chairs will be placed throughout the galleries to allow more relaxed art viewing. Spend a leisurely time as if gently listening to your favorite works.
*The number of chairs is limited. Please share them considerately.
*Event content may be changed or canceled without notice depending on gallery congestion. Thank you for your understanding.
"Slow Looking" Experience
The audio guide (paid) features a special track: "Experience Slow Looking - A Way to Enjoy Art Slowly!" Slow looking, which involves spending time savoring a single work, is the ultimate mindfulness experience to relax your tense mind and body. Why not spend a truly "mellow" time in the quiet space surrounded by artworks?
For other event information: https://www.swedishpainting2026.jp/event.html
Exhibition Overview
Sweden is located in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. This exhibition provides a full-scale introduction to paintings from Sweden's golden age of art, which has been attracting worldwide attention in recent years.
In Sweden, young artists began studying in France around 1880 and became devoted to Realism, which expresses people and nature as they are. Eventually returning to their homeland, they aimed to create Swedish art that expressed their national identity, depicting nature, familiar people, and the brilliance hidden in everyday life with intimate and emotional expressions.
With the full cooperation of the Nationalmuseum in Sweden, this exhibition explores the sensibilities unique to Northern Europe, where people live richly with nature, through captivating paintings created in Sweden from the late 19th to the 20th century.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Name: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 100th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition - Swedish Paintings: Nordic Light, the Brilliance of Everyday Life
Period: January 27 (Tuesday) to April 12 (Sunday), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Special Exhibition Galleries
Closed: Mondays, February 24 (Tuesday) *Open on February 23 (Monday, National Holiday)
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Fridays until 8:00 PM (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), NHK, NHK Promotions, Tokyo Shimbun
Sponsors: DNP Dai Nippon Printing
Support: Embassy of Sweden
Special Cooperation: Nationalmuseum
Cooperation: All Nippon Airways, Lufthansa Cargo AG
Planning Cooperation: S2
Admission: General 2,300 yen (2,100 yen advance), University/Vocational School Students 1,300 yen (1,100 yen advance), 65 and Over 1,600 yen (1,400 yen advance), 18 and Under/High School Students Free
*Tax included
*( ) indicates advance ticket prices
*Free admission for holders of physical disability certificates, rehabilitation certificates, mental disability certificates, atomic bomb survivor health handbooks, and one accompanying person
*Proof of age/student status required for 18 and under, high school students, university/vocational school students, and seniors 65 and over, as well as certificate holders
*University and vocational school students free on weekdays only from January 27 (Tuesday) to February 20 (Friday)
Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
*Exhibition period, hours, and closed days are subject to change.
Please check the official website for the latest information.
Official Website: https://swedishpainting2026.jp
Official X/Instagram: @swedish2026
Tour Information
Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum: April 28 (Tuesday) to June 21 (Sunday), 2026 (scheduled)
Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art: July 9 (Thursday) to October 4 (Sunday), 2026 (scheduled)
*This exhibition is part of "Japan-Sweden Cultural and Scientific Cooperation Year 2026/The Swedish Embassy Year of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation in Japan 2026"
