Atsuko Ninagawa Recognized for Influential Role in Global Art Scene

Atsuko Ninagawa, a prominent gallerist, has been recognized on TIME's 2026 list of the 100 most influential people in art. Ninagawa is credited with co-founding Art Week Tokyo, a decentralized art event designed to alleviate the financial pressures and commercial focus often associated with traditional art fairs.

Art Week Tokyo operates without exhibitor fees, a model Ninagawa believes "levels the playing field for galleries." She stated that the event's primary goal is to "shift the metric for evaluating an art event of this scope from making sales to making connections." This approach aims to reduce the significant financial risk galleries face when participating in large-scale fairs, where costs can amount to tens of thousands of dollars.

The five-day event, developed in partnership with Art Basel and Japan Contemporary Art Platform, has played a crucial role in elevating Japan's contemporary art scene internationally. Its upcoming fifth edition in November will feature 53 venues across Tokyo, linked by a complimentary bus service. Ninagawa's own gallery, Take Ninagawa, will present a show by Japanese-Polish artist Koji Kamoji, who is 91 years old.