Japan: Courts and Culture is a celebration of the objects of cultural exchange that defined the relationship between the British and Japanese Royal and Imperial families, from the reign of James I to the present day. Held at The Queen's Gallery in 2022, it showcases some of the most significant examples of Japanese art and design from the Royal Collection.
We developed an integrated approach between the graphic elements and the exhibition design, working closely with Stanton Williams. This harmony reflects the sensitivity to materials that is characteristic of the Japanese art on display: wall texts are screen-printed in matt paint directly to the lacquered walls of the gallery to create a subtle textural interplay, and object captions run seamlessly within the cases on a fibrous and semi-transparent paper, reminiscent of washi paper. The same semi-transparent paper used for the object captions is seen on a larger scale in the exhibition banners, which shift in opacity in response to the changing light. Exhibition titles are set vertically in a contemporary typeface with a strong calligraphic flourish.
Photography: Thomas Adank
