As the third installment of the “SMBC ART HQ” series, the exhibition Lou Zhenggang – AWATA COLLECTION will be held at SMBC head Office, located on the 1st floor of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation East Tower, from Tuesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 25, 2025.
SMBC ART HQ Part 3 Lou Zhenggang Exhibition – AWATA COLLECTION
Joint Organizer: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group・Gallery L/AWATA COLLECTION
Supported by: Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan
Cooperation from: Simon de Pury (De Pury), Yasuhide Shimbata(Artizon Museum, Ishibashi Foundation), LZG Studio
Venue: Mitsui Sumitomo Bank East Tower 1F, Earth Garden
Address: 1-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo [Google Map]
Dates: Tuesday, September 30 – Saturday, October 25, 2025
Admission: Free of charge
Exhibition Overview
Building upon the success of Part 1—featuring the collection of Hiroshi Taguchi (Founder of MISUMI Group)—and Part 2—the Ohbayashi Collection curated by Tsuyoshi Ohbayashi (Chairman of Obayashi Corporation)—SMBC ART HQ is proud to present its third installment: “Lou Zhenggang Exhibition – AWATA COLLECTION.” This exhibition centers on the AWATA COLLECTION, an extraordinary body of works curated by Takaya Awata, President and CEO of Toridoll Holdings Corporation, and will be held at the Earth Garden on the first floor of the Mitsui Sumitomo Bank East Tower.
Originally from China, Lou Zhenggang has made Japan her home for over three decades. Throughout Asia, she is celebrated for her bold artistic vision and pioneering contributions to contemporary art. Though her works have been long embraced by prominent collectors and major auction houses such as China Guardian and Poly Auction, they have rarely been presented outside Asia—reflecting the artist’s deeply held intention to preserve the cultural resonance of her work.
In 2022, Takaya Awata encountered Lou Zhenggang’s art and began collecting her works. His deep admiration culminated in the opening of Gallery L in 2024—a private gallery in Hiroo, Tokyo, solely dedicated to her oeuvre. As the only institution in the world to showcase the full spectrum of Lou’s creative output, from avant-garde calligraphy to vibrant acrylic paintings, Gallery L remains a singular space of artistic immersion. Awata describes the profound allure of her art as “an infinite expansion of imagination that emanates from her creations.”
This exhibition, born of that vision, marks the first public unveiling of the AWATA COLLECTION. Approximately 15 works created between 2018 and 2025, including newly completed pieces, will be on display. It will be the largest and most comprehensive solo exhibition of Lou Zhenggang ever held in Japan. The featured works—precise in expression yet imbued with timeless grace—radiate a commanding presence that leaves a lasting impression on all who encounter them.
Exhibition details
https://lzgstudio.com/en/exhibitions/detail/20
UPDATE July 24th, 2025
