Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 27 works by Tomie Ohtake in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Tomie Ohtake's most famous painting is Theatre Pedro II (1996), whose original hangs in the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Прага. Memorial da América Latina (1990) and Av. 23 de Maio (1998) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 27 works by Tomie Ohtake in our catalog, the gallery presents the 25 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
The ceiling of the Theatro Pedro II rises like a pale, frozen web. It is a structure of two plaster domes, carved with countless cutout arches that catch the light. These openings allow a soft glow to bleed through the geometry, turning the heavy material into something that feels weightless. A massive chandelier hangs from the center, a heavy presence of one point four tons suspended in the quiet air.…
The sculpture emerges from its surroundings with a sense of sudden movement, as if caught in a single, breathless moment of transition. A bird, defined by spreading wings, occupies the space with an abstract grace that defies rigid structure. Around this central figure, designs reminiscent of flickering flames dance and swirl, creating a dynamic tension between the solid form of the wings and the fluid energy of the surrounding patterns.…
The painting depicts a city street scene characterized by a central, sculptural element that resembles a skateboard ramp. This structure sits within a paved area, surrounded by the architectural geometry of a metropolitan setting. In the background, buildings rise to meet the upper edge of the frame, creating a sense of enclosure. Several vehicles are positioned along the roadway, including a car near the left margin and another further into…
A large red spiral sculpture dominates the outdoor space, its form resembling a giant spring or a series of twisted metal rings. The structure rises from a garden setting, where greenery surrounds the base of the installation. This work, created in 1998, utilizes a singular, bold color to define its presence against the architectural backdrop of the building. The loops of the sculpture create a sense of continuous movement, drawing…
A heavy, grayscale light settles over the Anhangabaú district. In this 1984 photograph, the city breathes through a thick layer of movement and shadow. Tall buildings frame the sky, their silhouettes casting long, geometric shapes across the urban canyon. Below, the street is a river of steel and glass. Cars, trucks, and buses navigate the thoroughfares in a choreographed chaos, their forms blurred by the constant rush of transit. Pedestrians…
In the vast landscape of twentieth-century abstraction, few works capture the rhythmic interplay between color and space as intimately as Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo’s CTBC Telecom. Created in 1998, this masterpiece serves as a profound testament to the artist's enduring mastery over form and light. At first glance, the viewer is greeted by a striking blue expanse, a deep and resonant field that acts as a celestial stage for the delicate…
In the heart of São Paulo’s cultural landscape, where architecture meets the soul of the city, lies a masterpiece of abstract movement titled Ibirapuera Auditorium. Created by the legendary Japanese-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo in 2004, this work serves as a breathtaking dialogue between sculpture and space. The piece captures a singular, fluid moment—a red, undulating wave that seems to pulse with its own internal rhythm. As light dances across…
A Bold Statement in Steel: Tomie Ohtake’s *Aché Laboratory* *Aché Laboratory*, created in 1997 by the celebrated Japanese-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo, is more than just a sculpture; it's an architectural intervention and a dynamic exploration of form and space. This monumental work, residing at Laboratório Aché in Guarulhos, Brazil, commands attention with its sweeping curves and vibrant red hue. Weighing 4.5 tons and constructed from steel sections painted with…
In the evocative piece Address Building, created in 1995 by the master Japanese-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo, we encounter a profound dialogue between structure and fluidity. The artwork presents a striking visual phenomenon: a vibrant, crimson wave that seems to surge across a textured surface, breaking with a rhythmic intensity that captures the eye instantly. This is not merely a depiction of movement, but an exploration of it. Through a…
In the quiet transition between twilight and night, certain works of art possess the uncanny ability to command the space around them, transforming a simple environment into a stage for profound contemplation. Tomie Ohtake’s 1983 sculpture, “Paulo Figueiredo Gallery,” is such a masterpiece. Captured in a moment of stillness, the sculpture emerges from a circular pool like a monumental relic of nature itself. Its elongated, organic silhouette—reminiscent of a stylized…
Consolação subway station1991 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
12
Complexo Aché Cultural2003 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
13
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas1985 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
14
Embarkment at José Menino Beach, Santos,SP.2008 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
15
Hotel Brasília Alvorada2001 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
16
Guarulhos International Aiport2008 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
17
Santo André City Hall.2013 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
18
Tomie Ohtake Building1985 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
19
SESC Vila Mariana1997 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
20
Work n.71970 · Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasília
21
University of São Paulo’s Museum of Contemporary Art.1999 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
22
Usiminas Headquartes2003 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
23
Paulista Avenue2015 · Instituto Tomie Ohtake
24
Untitled2002 · Inter-American Development Bank
25
Untitled1988
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 3 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Tomie Ohtake | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Instituto Tomie Ohtake |
Прага | 22 | Theatre Pedro II, Memorial da América Latina, Av. 23 de Maio |
 Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasília |
Brasília | 1 | Work n.7 |
 Inter-American Development Bank |
Washington, D.C. | 1 | Untitled |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
In the evocative realm of Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo, the boundaries between the human form and geometric abstraction dissolve into a mesmerizing dance of color and shape. Her piece, Work n.7, created in 1970, serves as a profound testament to her unique ability to bridge the gap between the organic and the structural. At first glance, the viewer is drawn into a vibrant dialogue between a central, soulful presence and a…
A heavy, grayscale light settles over the Anhangabaú district. In this 1984 photograph, the city breathes through a thick layer of movement and shadow. Tall buildings frame the sky, their silhouettes casting long, geometric shapes across the urban canyon. Below, the street is a river of steel and glass. Cars, trucks, and buses navigate the thoroughfares in a choreographed chaos, their forms blurred by the constant rush of transit. Pedestrians…
The ceiling of the Theatro Pedro II rises like a pale, frozen web. It is a structure of two plaster domes, carved with countless cutout arches that catch the light. These openings allow a soft glow to bleed through the geometry, turning the heavy material into something that feels weightless. A massive chandelier hangs from the center, a heavy presence of one point four tons suspended in the quiet air.…
In the heart of São Paulo’s cultural landscape, where architecture meets the soul of the city, lies a masterpiece of abstract movement titled Ibirapuera Auditorium. Created by the legendary Japanese-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo in 2004, this work serves as a breathtaking dialogue between sculpture and space. The piece captures a singular, fluid moment—a red, undulating wave that seems to pulse with its own internal rhythm. As light dances across…
In the bustling heart of Santo André, where the rhythmic pulse of city life meets the concrete geometry of urban infrastructure, stands a vibrant testament to the lyrical power of abstraction. Santo André City Hall is not merely a sculpture; it is a visual melody frozen in time. Created by the legendary Japanese-Brazilian master Tomie Ohtake Nakakubo, this striking installation transforms a mundane street corner into a stage for poetic…
Theatre Pedro II (1996), Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Прага. Memorial da América Latina (1990) and Av. 23 de Maio (1998) come next.
83 years old: Theatre Pedro II dates from 1996, and Tomie Ohtake was born in 1913.
Theatre Pedro II, Memorial da América Latina, Av. 23 de Maio, Instituto Rio Branco, Ladeira da Memória, Anhangabaú, CTBC Telecom, Ibirapuera Audotorium, Aché Laboratory, Address Building and Paulo Figueiredo Gallery. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 27 works by Tomie Ohtake, dated from 1970 to 2015.
Mostly in Instituto Tomie Ohtake (Прага), Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - Brasília (Brasília) and Inter-American Development Bank (Washington, D.C.). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1990s: 10 of the 25 works on this page were made then, Theatre Pedro II among them.
On this page, the earliest is Work n.7 (1970) and the latest Paulista Avenue (2015).
Public art (9), Sculpture (7) and Geometric form (5), across the 25 works on this page.
Sculpture, for 7 of the 25 works on this page.
Abstract expressionism, judging by the originals on this page.
Theatre Pedro II, Memorial da América Latina and Av. 23 de Maio: the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, Прага holds 22 of the works on this page.
