ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tadanori Yokoo: Japan's Enduring Graphic Design Maverick at 89

artist · 2026-04-30

Tadanori Yokoo, the 89-year-old Japanese artist and graphic designer, remains active despite a recent Covid-19 bout. He opened an exhibition of all-new works at Tokyo's Setagaya Art Museum. Born in 1936 in Nishiwaki, a small city north of Kobe, Yokoo is recognized as a leading cultural figure in Japan. He has received cultural-merit awards from the Japanese emperor. His work is held by many institutions, including the Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art in Kobe, which opened in 2012. He also runs an online shop selling merchandise featuring his art. Yokoo began his career at a printing company after abandoning plans to attend Musashino Art University and work for the postal service. He is known for upturning norms in graphic design and painting.

Key facts

  • Tadanori Yokoo is 89 years old.
  • He had Covid-19 last year.
  • He opened an exhibition of all-new works at Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo.
  • The Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art in Kobe opened in 2012.
  • He has received cultural-merit awards from the Japanese emperor.
  • He was born in 1936 in Nishiwaki, north of Kobe.
  • He initially tried to enter Musashino Art University but abandoned the effort.
  • He worked at a printing company, learning commercial printing.

Entities

Artists

  • Tadanori Yokoo

Institutions

  • Setagaya Art Museum
  • Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Musashino Art University

Locations

  • Japan
  • Tokyo
  • Kobe
  • Nishiwaki

Sources