Eugene Museum Bali: Art Collaboration with ISSEY MIYAKE Opens 2026

In a groundbreaking fusion of art, fashion, and architecture, the Eugene Museum in Bali is set to open its doors in the summer of 2026, showcasing a permanent collection highlighted by a unique collaboration with A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE. The centerpiece of this partnership, titled Light and Shadow Inside Me, will debut as a permanent installation at the museum and will also be featured in a special exhibition at Art Basel Paris in October 2025. This ambitious project, announced in Jakarta on September 25, 2025, brings together the visionary work of Japanese multidisciplinary artist Eugene Kangawa, the innovative textile design of A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, and the architectural brilliance of Indonesia’s renowned architect Andra Matin.

A Visionary Collaboration: Eugene Kangawa and A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE

The collaboration between Eugene Kangawa (born 1989, New Jersey, USA) and A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE marks the culmination of a three-year creative dialogue between Kangawa and designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae, along with his team. The partnership was sparked when Miyamae encountered Kangawa’s Light and Shadow Inside Me (2021—) series during the artist’s solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (2021–22). This encounter led to a series of workshops and conceptual developments, resulting in a revolutionary textile project inspired by Kangawa’s photogram series.

Kangawa’s Light and Shadow Inside Me (2022—) is a collection of two-dimensional works created entirely through the interplay of light and shadow. Initially, the series featured paper coated with water-based dyes, folded into polyhedral, origami-like forms, and exposed to sunlight for weeks to produce natural gradients. Later iterations, which inspired the collaboration, evolved into monochromatic photograms, where photographic paper was folded and selectively exposed to artificial light in a darkroom. This technique, relying solely on light and shadow as both material and medium, reflects Kangawa’s exploration of human existence and its boundaries.

Inspired by this concept, A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE developed an innovative “bit-level” textile, reimagining the smallest units of silver particles on photographic paper as an analogy for interwoven threads in fabric. The team achieved striking black-to-white gradients through variations in weave density, without using different colored threads or dyes—a groundbreaking advancement in textile design. Yoshiyuki Miyamae, the lead designer, emphasized the project’s alignment with the brand’s ethos: “We were inspired by Mr. Kangawa’s philosophy, which draws rich expression from fundamental elements like light and shadow. Using only black and white threads, we explored new possibilities in fabric through weave patterns and density, translating the phenomenon of photographic paper and light into the language of textiles.”

Kangawa expressed his gratitude for the collaboration, stating, “I am deeply thankful to Mr. Miyamae and the A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE team for their thoughtful translation of my artistic vision into fabric. Their human-centered philosophy resonates deeply with my work, particularly in exploring themes of existence. I am thrilled to showcase this collaboration in Paris and to welcome visitors to experience it at the Eugene Museum in Bali next year.”

Eugene Museum: A Cultural Haven in Bali

Set to open in Tabanan, Bali, within a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Eugene Museum will be the first permanent museum dedicated to Kangawa’s work. Spanning over one hectare, with 5,000 square meters dedicated to its buildings and facilities, the museum will feature more than 15 galleries showcasing both existing and newly commissioned works by Kangawa, including the permanent installation of Light and Shadow Inside Me (2022—). Designed by acclaimed Indonesian architect Andra Matin, the museum harmonizes art and nature, incorporating handcrafted terracotta bricks made by local artisans and preserving existing trees on the revitalized rice field site.

The museum will offer a unique overnight accommodation program, allowing visitors to experience Kangawa’s works as they interact with the changing light of dusk, extending engagement beyond typical visiting hours. Located in the culturally rich “Emmerald” area, the museum is closely connected to nearby landmarks such as Nuanu Creative City, Pura Tanah Lot, and the Canggu region. Beyond exhibitions, the museum will foster community engagement through workshops, lectures, and events in collaboration with local communities, regional partners, and educational institutions across Asia.

Initiated by a community of art collectors across Asia and developed by a local organization, the Eugene Museum aims to provide a permanent home for Kangawa’s works, ensuring year-round access for global visitors. A preview of the museum’s plans and a scale model of Kangawa’s works were showcased at the Jakarta Art Hub in November 2023, generating significant anticipation for the project.

About Eugene Kangawa

Eugene Kangawa is a Japanese contemporary artist renowned for his conceptual approach to painting and installations, orchestrating environments grounded in natural phenomena and physical laws. His work explores the symbiotic nature of existence and the transformative power of imagination. Since founding Eugene Studio in Tokyo in 2016, Kangawa has dedicated himself to research, development, and production of his innovative creations.

Kangawa gained international recognition following his monumental solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in 2021, where he became the youngest artist to receive such an honor. His notable exhibitions include After the Rainbow (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2021), De-sport (21st Century Museum, Kanazawa, 2020), and 89+(Serpentine Gallery, London, 2014). In 2017, he was named one of four leading Japanese artists in the field of art and technology by Daisuke Miyatsu in The Age of Art × Technology, alongside collectives like teamLab.

About A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE

A-POC ABLE ISSEY MIYAKE, led by Yoshiyuki Miyamae, builds on the revolutionary A-POC concept introduced in 1998, which transformed garment-making by involving wearers in the design process. Under Miyamae’s leadership since 2021, the brand has continued to push boundaries, exploring new possibilities in material and structure. The collaboration with Kangawa exemplifies their commitment to fostering creative dialogues across disciplines, resulting in textiles that redefine the intersection of fashion and art.

For more details on the collaboration, visit the Eugene Studio website.