Tampa Museum of Art showcases renowned Japanese-American artist

Two tall, abstract, beige sculptures with colorful geometric protrusions stand on a concrete floor in front of a large, colorful, tiled geometric wall artwork in a bright gallery space. Jun Kaneko’s glazed ceramics Credit: Courtesy of TMA

The Tampa Museum of Art closed 2025 with a celebration of multi-talented Japanese-American artist Jun Kaneko’s work, opening his first major presentation in Florida. But there’s still plenty of time to see the exhibit.

“Silence Before Sound” features nearly 50 pieces of Kaneko’s large-scale ceramic sculptures, paintings and works on paper, tracing back six decades of his work.

His creative process is shaped by moments of pause or “Ma,” a concept rooted in Japanese aesthetics that Keneko has said is essential to the balance of an artwork.

The museum’s “Remix” monthly workshop series bases its next project on his work. On Jan. 29, guests can learn glaze painting on ceramic tile to create Kaneko-inspired art.

Tickets start at $5 for “Silence before Sound,” running through Aug. 23 in Tampa. The “Remix” workshop is $55.

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