Hiroshima, the first city in the world to experience an atomic bombing, established the Hiroshima Art Prize in 1989 with the aim of conveying the “Spirit of Hiroshima”—the desire for lasting world peace and the prosperity of humankind—to the world through art. The prize has been awarded once every three years. The Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art presents a commemorative exhibition for Mel Chin, recipient of the 12th Hiroshima Art Prize.
Mel Chin (1951–) has developed ideas motivated by complex social issues, including environmental problems, and has expressed them through his own distinctive methods that transcend conventional artistic categories. His unique and wide-ranging body of work—from sculpture, drawing, painting, video, animation, and video games to large-scale public installations—has engaged audiences from diverse backgrounds and fostered broader social awareness. He has also undertaken long-term projects that incorporate collaboration with local communities and scientific approaches, exploring how art can inspire social consciousness and responsibility. This exhibition, the first solo presentation of Mel Chin in Japan, serves as a career-spanning survey that brings together many of his most significant works alongside new pieces created specifically for Hiroshima. Through these works, the exhibition highlights the potential of art to catalyze social transformation and the transformation of one’s self.
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The 12th Hiroshima Art Prize Mel Chin
Exhibition Period｜July 25,Sat — October 12, Mon, 2026
Opening Hours｜10:00–17:00 *Admission until 30 minutes before closing
Closed｜Mondays (except September 21, October 12) and September 24
Venue｜Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art GalleryB
Admission｜Adults 1,600 (1,250) yen, University students 1,200 (900) yen, High school students and seniors (65 and over) 800 (600) yen
*Price in parentheses is that of advance ticket and a group of 30 or more
*Free for children under Junior High School age
*You can also see the concurrent collection exhibition with a ticket for this exhibition
[ Advanced Ticket ] *Available until July 24, Fri
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art Information
▷Onlineshop「339」
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///Related Events///
Opening Lecture: Mel Chin
Program related to the special exhibition “The 12th Hiroshima Art Prize
Mel Chin.” Mel Chin will give a lecture to celebrate the opening of the exhibition.
*Conducted in English.
July 25,Sat, 2026 14:00–16:00
Venue: Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Studio
Capacity: 100
*The numbered ticket will be issued from 10:00 at the information desk on the 1st floor.
*No reservation required
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///Concurrent exhibition///
Collection Exhibition 2026-Ⅰ
June 27, Sat—September 23, Wed, 2026
▷more info
Collection Exhibition 2026-Ⅱ
October 10, Sat—January 24, Sun, 2026
▷more info