NEW YORK, NY.- Nara Roesler Gallery announced that Tomie Ohtake's seminal work, "Untitled" (1982), has been acquired by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for its permanent collection. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Ohtake's legacy, solidifying her place as one of the leading figures in abstract art in Brazil and the Americas.
"Untitled" is a prime example of Ohtake's signature approach to figural abstraction, developed during the mid-1970s through the 1980s. The painting features large, organic forms that dominate the visual field, rendered with subtle gradations of hue and monochromatic expanses. This masterful use of color-field painting balances figuration and abstraction with extraordinary nuance, creating a striking example of neo-avant-garde abstraction.
Ohtake's work during this period transformed the legacy of Brazilian modernity, establishing a new standard for late-modern painting in the Americas. Her paintings often took on a cosmic dimension, foreshadowing her later transition to sculpture and installation art.
Born in Kyoto in 1913 and moving to Brazil in 1936, Ohtake's artistic career began at the age of 37. She joined the Seibi Group, a collective of Japanese-Brazilian artists, and later delved into abstract exploration. Her "blind paintings," created during the late 1950s, challenged the foundational ideas of the Brazilian Neo-concrete movement while emphasizing sensitivity and intuition in her practice.
Throughout her extensive career, Ohtake participated in numerous international biennials and exhibitions, receiving widespread recognition for her innovative work. Her legacy includes over 120 solo exhibitions and nearly 400 group exhibitions worldwide.