Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 100th Anniversary 'Andrew Wyeth Exhibition': Actress Michiko Kichise Takes on Audio Guide for the First Time! 'I hope to be a presence that naturally accompanies Wyeth's works, like background music.'
Actress Michiko Kichise will provide the audio guide for the 'Andrew Wyeth Exhibition' at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, marking her first attempt at such a role. Collaborations with Atre Ueno and Tsutaya Books are also announced.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 21:06
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The 'Andrew Wyeth Exhibition' is finally set to open at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on Tuesday, April 28. Actress Michiko Kichise, who serves as the exhibition navigator, recorded the audio guide narration in Tokyo.
Kichise, who is highly active in dramas and commercials, is taking on the narration for an art exhibition audio guide for the very first time.
After the recording, she commented, "There were many words I don't usually use, which made it challenging, but I tried to maintain a balance of not being too emotional yet not too flat, so as not to interfere with the artworks. I recorded with the hope of becoming a presence that naturally accompanies Wyeth's works, like background music."
In her narration, Kichise broadly introduces the highlights of the works, Wyeth's life, the stories of the people who modeled for his works, and the themes embedded in them. She also spoke about the exhibition's appeal, saying, "I felt that this exhibition is one where you want to deeply engage with the works, as various emotions and stories are contained within seemingly quiet pieces. Through the audio guide, knowing the background of the works changes how you see them, allowing for a deeper enjoyment."
【Michiko Kichise Profile】
Born in 1975 in Fukuoka Prefecture. After working as a model, she made her full-fledged debut as an actress in 2007. Since then, she has been active mainly in dramas and commercials. In 2011, she received the Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year. In 2014, her role in 'Hirugao: Love Affairs in the Afternoon' (Fuji TV) gained significant attention. She has since appeared in numerous works, including 'Mitarai-ke, Enjō Suru' (Netflix series) and 'Unmet: A Brain Surgeon's Diary' (Fuji TV). In recent years, she has expanded her activities by regularly appearing on the local Fukuoka variety show 'Jimo Channel' (TNC). She will appear in the Sunday drama 'GIFT' (TBS) starting in April. She currently balances her work with being a mother of two children.
'Atre Ueno' × 'Andrew Wyeth Exhibition' Limited Tie-up Event!
～Collaboration menu inspired by Andrew Wyeth's works now available～
Four cafes and restaurants at Atre Ueno will offer limited collaboration menus with this exhibition from Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, May 31. You can fully enjoy exquisite dishes inspired by Andrew Wyeth's 'Christina's World' and 'Lighthouse', as well as menus reminiscent of his works.
Furthermore, customers who purchase eligible products/menus at participating Atre Ueno shops will receive an original sticker of Andrew Wyeth's 'Lighthouse'! Supplies are limited, so hurry!
Details here
https://www.atre.co.jp/event/andrewwyeth/ueno/
'Andrew Wyeth Exhibition' and Tsutaya Books Collaboration Decided!
A pop-up store for the Andrew Wyeth Exhibition will be held at Tsutaya Books.
Discover books related to Andrew Wyeth, a representative realist painter of the 20th century, and experience Wyeth's world at Tsutaya Books.
Event Period: Tuesday, April 28 – Monday, May 18
Locations: Roppongi Tsutaya Books, Daikanyama Tsutaya Books
【Exhibition Overview】
Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) was a representative realist painter of 20th-century American figurative art. He distanced himself from movements such as American Abstract Expressionism, Neo-Dada, and Pop Art, which gained prominence after World War II, and continued to paint people and landscapes close to him. His works are not merely reproductions of scenes before his eyes but reflect the artist's inner spiritual world.
Many of his works feature motifs that indicate a kind of boundary, such as windows and doors. Boundaries have been a theme explored in Western art history for a long time, but for Wyeth, they functioned as a connection or border to a more private world. This exhibition focuses on the expression of these boundaries to explore the world depicted by Wyeth.
【Event Details】
Exhibition Name: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 100th Anniversary Andrew Wyeth Exhibition
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Dates: Tuesday, April 28 – Sunday, July 5, 2026
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
*Until 8:00 PM on Fridays
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Closed: Mondays, May 7 (Thursday)
*Open on May 4 (Monday, public holiday) and June 29 (Monday)
Admission Fees: General 2,300 yen (2,100 yen) / University/Vocational School Students 1,300 yen (1,100 yen) / Seniors 65+ 1,600 yen (1,400 yen)
・( ) indicates advance ticket prices. Advance tickets will be sold from 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2026, until Monday, April 27 (scheduled).
・Free for ages 18 and under, and high school students and below.
・On the third Saturday of every month and the following Sunday (Family Day), guardians (up to 2 people, Tokyo residents) accompanying children under 18 receive half off the general admission fee (please present proof of address). No time-slot reservation required; tickets sold only at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum ticket counter.
・Free for holders of Physical Disability Certificates, Ai-no-Techo (Rehabilitation Certificates), Mental Disability Welfare Certificates, and Atomic Bomb Survivor Health Certificates, and one accompanying person.
・For ages 18 and under, high school students, university/vocational school students, seniors 65+, and holders of various certificates, please present proof of eligibility.
Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), The Tokyo Shimbun, Fuji Television Network
Sponsor: DNP Dai Nippon Printing
Special Cooperation: Marunuma Art Park, Unimat Group
Cooperation: Wyeth Foundation, Japan Airlines
Support: Embassy of the United States of America, BS Fuji
Inquiries: 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition Official Website: https://wyeth2026.jp/
Official X @andrewwyeth_ten
Official Instagram andrewwyeth_ten
【Touring Information】
●Toyota Municipal Museum of Art
Dates: Saturday, July 18 – Wednesday, September 23, 2026
●Abeno Harukas Art Museum
Dates: Saturday, October 3 – Sunday, December 6, 2026
FAQ
When will the Andrew Wyeth exhibition be held?
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, it will be held from April 28 (Tuesday) to July 5 (Sunday), 2026. It will then tour to the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art and Abeno Harukas Art Museum.
What role will Michiko Kichise play?
Michiko Kichise will be narrating the audio guide for this exhibition for the first time, introducing highlights and backgrounds of the works.
What are the tie-up details with Atre Ueno and Tsutaya Books?
Atre Ueno will offer collaboration menus and original stickers, while Tsutaya Books (Roppongi and Daikanyama) will host a pop-up featuring Wyeth-related books.