Contemporary artist Miwa Komatsu's first solo exhibition in Europe, “MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes”, opened on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at MUSEC (Museo delle Culture) in Lugano, Switzerland. The exhibition will be on view until Sunday, October 25, 2026.

“MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes” Exhibition View

MUSEC, an abbreviation for Museo delle Culture, was established in 1989 in Lugano. Housed in the historic Villa Malpensata on the city's lakefront, the museum features a wide range of folk and contemporary art from the Far East, India, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. With a focus on the fusion of anthropology and art, MUSEC actively curates contemporary art exhibitions, and Komatsu's show is part of this new initiative. The project is led and produced by the Fondazione culture e musei and MUSEC, in cooperation with Fudo Co., Ltd. of Tokyo.

“MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes” Exhibition View

Miwa Komatsu (b. 1984) is an artist from Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Her artistic origins are rooted in a unique perspective on life and death, cultivated amidst the region's rich natural environment. Working under the philosophy of "Great Harmonization," her expression has expanded from early monochromatic copperplate engravings to vibrant acrylic paintings, sculptures, and live painting performances in recent years. Educated at the Joshibi University of Art and Design in Tokyo, she gained a solid foundation in both Western and Japanese art history. During this time, she also developed an interest in calligraphy, meditation, and Japanese spiritual traditions.

“MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes” Exhibition View

Her works have been acquired by institutions worldwide, including the British Museum, consolidating her recognized presence on the global art scene. In 2021, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, a recognition of her commitment to raising public awareness of the relationship between humankind and nature. She also continues to exhibit actively in Japan, with a major solo exhibition, "Sacred Nexus: Resonating with Cosmos," held at the Sapporo Art Museum and the Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido in 2025, and a show at the Simose Art Museum from 2025 to 2026.

“MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes” Exhibition View

This exhibition is realized against the backdrop of such domestic and international success. It features approximately 30 works created between 2012 and 2026, including pieces newly conceived for the show. The exhibition is held in the Spazio Cielo on the third floor of the museum. For more details, please visit the official MUSEC website.

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Name: MIWA KOMATSU. Beyond the Eyes
Dates: Thursday, July 23, 2026 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Venue: MUSEC, Villa Malpensata – SPAZIO CIELO
Number of Works: Approximately 30 (produced from 2012–2026)
Official Website:
https://www.musec.ch/en/portfolio/miwa-komatsu-beyond-the-eyes/