Centered on the concept of “An Eternal Question Posed by an Iconic Prison,” this museum takes place within a Western-style building designated as an Important Cultural Property. Blending design and art, it tells the story of the prison while offering a fresh perspective that challenges daily life.
Part of the facility includes a gallery created by renovating the former medical ward building.
Artist Yoshinari Nishio has long created works exploring human and social relationships, using the activities and communication surrounding clothing and attire as his theme. This featured piece was brought to life by over 200 people who embroidered poems written by young inmates formerly housed at the Nara Juvenile Prison.
We invite you to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Nara Prison and experience Mr. Nishio’s thoughts on his artwork and project.
Artist / Contemporary Artist. Born 1982 in Nara Prefecture. Focuses on the relationship between the act of dressing and communication, mainly using clothing as a medium. He develops collaborative projects with citizens and students both in Japan and overseas. After serving as an Overseas Research Fellow for the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Nairobi, Kenya) and an Associate Professor at Nara Prefectural University, he is currently a Professor at the Department of Intermedia Art, Tokyo University of the Arts.
