We Are Portland

Adams and Ollman Hosted Tomoya Matsuzaki Exhibition

The Portland gallery features the U.K.-based artist's first solo show in the United States.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Fine Art

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Japanese artist Tomoya Matsuzaki presents his first U.S. solo exhibition at Adams and Ollman gallery in Portland, featuring wall-based works created from foraged river materials. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Portland art enthusiasts can now view the debut U.S. solo exhibition of Japanese artist Tomoya Matsuzaki at Adams and Ollman. The show features a collection of wall-based paintings and drawings created using materials found through river mudlarking.

Why it matters

Matsuzaki's practice offers a unique perspective on his longtime home in the United Kingdom, blending found objects with a distinct sediment-like painting technique. The exhibition follows his recent inclusion in a 2025 group show at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa.

The artist has lived in the U.K. for roughly 30 years following his 1977 birth in Japan. It remains unknown how many individual works are included in this debut U.S. exhibition.

The players

Tomoya Matsuzaki

A U.K.-based Japanese artist who creates work from found objects and sediment-like painting.

Adams and Ollman

A Portland gallery presenting the debut United States solo exhibition for Matsuzaki.

Dr. Justin Dunnavant

An academic participating in a published conversation with the artist for the exhibition.

The details

Matsuzaki, who moved to Britain in the late 1990s, developed his current methodology by foraging near his studio during the Covid-19 pandemic. His work features irregularly shaped panels and found paper, with imagery formed through the gradual layering of paint edges. The gallery will accompany the show with a published conversation between the artist and Dr. Justin Dunnavant.

Timeline

  1. 1977: Tomoya Matsuzaki was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

  2. Late 1990s: Matsuzaki began living in Britain.

  3. 2025: Matsuzaki's work appeared at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa.

  4. 2026-10-03

    The exhibition debut was announced.

Beyond the Bridges

This exhibition marks a continued international trajectory for Matsuzaki following his 2025 group show at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa. It represents a significant expansion of his career from Japan and the U.K. into the U.S. gallery scene.

Local residents can visit the Adams and Ollman gallery to view the new works in person. The accompanying publication featuring the conversation with Dr. Justin Dunnavant provides further context for those interested in the artist's mudlarking process.

The takeaway

Take note of the artist's focus on material history and the practice of mudlarking as a method for artistic creation. Look for the published discussion between the artist and Dr. Justin Dunnavant to deepen your engagement with the work.

Further reading

You can find more coverage of the city's gallery scene in our Fine Art section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.