The 27th France-Japan International Contemporary Art Exhibition 2026 English｜EXPOSITIONS PRÉCÉDENTES / PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS

The 27th France-Japan International Contemporary Art Exhibition 2026
Session：From Thursday August 6 to Sunday August 16, 2026 *Closed: August 12
Location：The National Art Center, Tokyo / Galerie 3A・3B
Organizer：Japan International Artists Society
Collaborator：C.A.E.A（Club des Amis de l’Europe et des Arts）
Under the patronage：Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Under the patronage：Salon d'Automne
With the support ：
Co., Ltd. Dainihon-bijutsukogei
Hakuza Inc.
Co., Ltd. Kusakabe
Maruman Co., Ltd.
Co., Ltd. Seikatsunotomo-sha Bijutsu-no-mado

After movie

From August 6 to 16, the 27th annual exhibition took place over ten days at the National Art Center, Tokyo. Rooms 3A and 3B of the venue featured a total of 520 works, comprising 419 pieces by 269 artists primarily active in Japan and 101 pieces by 95 international artists, primarily from the French Salon.

Held under the shared vision of “embracing all forms of art and growing together,” the exhibition once again presented works spanning a wide range of genres, attracting visitors of all ages. Many took time to examine architectural and three-dimensional works from different angles, while artists could often be seen explaining their pieces and engaging with fellow exhibitors and visitors.

This year also saw a record 13 “œuvres longues,” reaching up to four meters in length. In the section « Espace privé », where artists can express a distinctive creative world through multiple works, one particularly ambitious installation filled an entire wall measuring approximately 5.5 meters wide and almost five meters high. In both cases, artists drew on techniques developed over years of practice while also using the exhibition as a space to explore new forms of expression and experimentation.

Throughout the exhibition, artists, exhibition representatives, and visitors from Japan and overseas frequently commented on how the standard of work continues to rise year after year. Some participating artists even spoke enthusiastically of ideas for next year’s exhibition inspired by works they had seen, reinforcing the sense of a creative dialogue unfolding between artists and their work.

Despite extreme summer heat and the impact of a typhoon, the exhibition attracted close to 12,000 visitors over its ten-day run. Throughout the event, CAEA / JIAS shared regular updates from the venue across its social media channels, while Salon d'Automne also posted a wide range of photos and videos, led by Vice-president Mr. GAbO.

Interest in the exhibition also continues to grow, with an increasing number of inquiries from prospective exhibitors in Japan and overseas. This growing response reflects the exhibition’s rising profile as an international open-call exhibition on Tokyo’s summer arts calendar.

As in previous years, Salon d'Automne served as the exhibition’s special sponsor, and its President Mr. LÉVÊQUE Jean-Christophe and Vice-president Mr. GAbO traveled to Japan for the event. Ahead of the opening, the pair worked alongside the exhibition secretariat to prepare the displays before taking an active part in events throughout the ten-day program, including the awards ceremony.

The exhibition opened with a ceremony in the exhibition space, attended by Mr. Salvator-John A. Liotta, a judge in the exhibition’s architecture category. Ms. DEVARDON Geneviève, Présidente of the Association Nationale des Artistes Français de SAINT MANDE, also traveled from France for the occasion. A participating artist and friend of Mr. ZACCHI Jean-Marie, Honorary President and Advisor of The France-Japan International Contemporary Art Exhibition, she joined guests in celebrating the opening.

The ceremony concluded with a video message from Mr. ZACCHI Jean-Marie, who was unfortunately unable to travel to Japan this year.

［Message from Mr. ZACCHI Jean-Marie］
“Bonjour. I am delighted to once again be joining artists from around the world.
It was the wish of the late Mr. MAGORI Toshifumi, Founder of CAEA / JIAS, to bring together artists from five continents. Here in this wonderful venue, visitors can experience a rich variety of techniques and artistic currents across painting, drawing, three-dimensional works, photography, and architecture. And of course, the calligraphy works that never fail to captivate us are not to be missed.
Visiting this exhibition is like embarking on a journey into the creative worlds shaped by each work and each artist. I hope every visitor is able to enjoy that journey to the fullest.

Through the combined efforts of its artists, Mr. MAGORI Bumpei, President of CAEA / JIAS, and the wider team, CAEA / JIAS has grown into one of Japan’s important and widely recognized artists’ associations. Artists bring color and hope to a world often marked by uncertainty, and art continues to hold an almost magical power to bring people and nations together.

I hope all visitors make wonderful artistic discoveries through this exhibition. Congratulations on its opening, and I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.”

*The video message from Mr. ZACCHI Jean-Marie was screened in the exhibition space throughout the exhibition period for visitors to view.

On the first day of the exhibition, the awards ceremony for the exhibitions held the previous year as part of the CAEA/JIAS took place in the auditorium of the National Art Center, Tokyo.

The reception that followed brought together more artists and guests than the previous year, encouraging exchange across nationalities, generations, and artistic genres. The standing reception format also made it easier for guests to move around the venue and mingle. Vice-president Mr. GAbO commented that the arrangement made it easier to speak with more people and build stronger connections.

The reception also welcomed Mr. Mathieu Fournet, conseiller culturel, directeur général de l’Institut français du Japon, who joined the celebrations on behalf of one of the exhibition’s patron organizations. After viewing the works on display, he mingled with artists and guests at the reception.

Also in attendance was Ms. TAKAOKA Mina, President of HAKUZA Inc., a new sponsor of the exhibition. She introduced the company’s gold leaf and gold powder products and spoke about HAKUZA’s support for the event. She also presented one of the exhibition’s sponsored awards at the awards ceremony held the same day.

On the second day of the exhibition, President Mr. LÉVÊQUE Jean-Christophe and Vice-president Mr. GAbO gave a lecture on “The Role of Salon d'Automne in Contemporary Art.” Drawing on the current exhibition landscape in France, they discussed trends shaping contemporary art and how artists might engage with them in their own practice. The session prompted an enthusiastic response from the audience, with artists posing a range of questions and showing a renewed energy for their own work.

Once again this year, a donation box was placed at the entrance in support of the “Project to buy art supplies for children who love painting in Rikuzentakata.” This initiative supports the city of Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture, which was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Together with donations received from outside the venue, a total of 68,750 yen was raised. The funds were used to purchase 500 sketchbooks and 50 sets of crayons, which were donated to local childcare centers through the city’s Association of Childcare Centers.


［Message of Sympathy］
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, which occurred shortly before the exhibition, as well as by the heavy rains that have continued across various regions. We sincerely hope for everyone’s safety and for a swift return to peaceful daily life.