Tacoma Art Museum features the newest exhibit Echoes of the Floating World, an exhibition highlighting the continuing influence of Japan’s ukiyo-e woodblock prints on contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest now through January 6, 2026.
Echoes of the Floating World features a striking collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century Japanese woodblock prints from the Tacoma Art Museum and others, displayed alongside works by contemporary Northwest artists. This exhibition honors the rich legacy of ukiyo-e while exploring its cultural impact on today’s artistic expressions.
Guest curator Kenji Stoll, a Tacoma-based muralist and tattooist known for his Japanese and American traditional ink, brings a unique perspective: “What’s really cool about this show is that you’ll see these [woodblock prints] in person, and you’ll also see the ways in which they influence artists who live and work right in our community…It’s a full circle moment.” –Kenji Stoll
The exhibition will showcase the works of several regional contemporary artists, including:
Hanako O’Leary, a craft-based sculptor and installation artist, draws inspiration from Japanese folk traditions and explores themes of feminine love, sexuality, and power through her art.
Jorge Mota, an artist who weaves his Indigenous roots with his Mexican American experience, aiming to inspire and empower others through his creative journey.
Kenji Stoll, a visual artist and tattooer based in Tacoma, Washington, whose interests include public art, murals, and community.
Lauren Iida, whose paper-cut art practice investigates her Japanese American heritage and the intergenerational trauma stemming from the unjust incarceration of her ancestors during World War II.
Troy Long, a tattooer and artist based in Tacoma, who contributes to the vibrant local art
scene.
VANVAN (Vanessa Jacob), a self-taught artist whose work is infused with nostalgia for 20th century pop culture, utilizing ink, Copic markers, and screen printing to express their unique vision.
Yoshiko Yamamoto, founder of The Arts & Crafts Press merges her Japanese heritage with the natural beauty of her surroundings through her printmaking.
Echoes of the Floating World promises to be a thought-provoking exhibition that showcases the beauty of traditional Japanese art and highlights its relevance and influence on contemporary artists in our region. Join us in celebrating this rich cultural dialogue and the artistic legacies that continue to inspire new generations.
The Japanese woodblock prints will be shown in three rotations, so check TAM’s website for more information.
Echoes of the Floating World is made possible through support from the Guendolen Carkeek Plestcheeff Fund for the Decorative and Design Arts, Tacoma Creates, ArtsFund, Tacoma Art Museum members, and with Nominal Support from the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle.
Visit Tacoma Art Museum –
Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., free admission 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
For more information please call: 253-272-4258 / www.tacomaartmuseum.org