This exhibition highlights “Noto roof tiles” rescued from buildings damaged in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, examining their history and the relationship with the local community. The venue—Kaihama Amidayu, a public bath that was reopened early for residents after the disaster—serves as the local hub. Six artists present new works that reflect the current state of both the tiles and the region; I have created a drawing on a single roof tile.
Motoi Yamamoto Solo Exhibition “To the White Sea” (working title)
Dates: Sep. 19 (Sat) – Nov 15 (Sun), 2026
Closed on Mondays (except September 21 and October 12, which are open due to public holidays; closed on October 13 instead)
Venue: Onomichi City Museum of Art (Hiroshima)
“Memories become white, and return to the sea”
Though invisible, time quietly accumulates, leaving traces within us.
This exhibition, “To the White Sea” (working title), is a retrospective presentation of works centered on the themes of memory and time, which Yamamoto has pursued for over three decades, returning to his hometown of Onomichi.
This exhibition will present a spatial experience of “layers of memory,” bringing together early oil paintings, large-scale salt installations, and the reconstruction of a work that collapsed in the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
Onomichi is a quiet port town facing the Seto Inland Sea, known for its hillside streets, historic temples, and slow, reflective atmosphere.
For those interested in exploring the city further, the following guides offer a clear and inspiring introduction:
Japan National Tourism Organization
MATCHA
