Discover the Art of Everyday Life at PEM’s Isamu Noguchi Exhibition

SPONSORED CONTENT | Photographed by Jess Shada

A new exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem invites visitors to explore the work of Isamu Noguchi, one of the 20th century’s most influential artists and designers.

On view through January 3, 2027, Isamu Noguchi: “I am not a designer” brings together more than 200 objects, showcasing the artist’s work across sculpture, furniture, lighting, architecture, and public spaces. From familiar household designs to ambitious ideas for playgrounds and gardens, the exhibition explores the relationship between art, design, and everyday life.

Noguchi (1904–1988) considered himself a sculptor, though his work extended far beyond traditional sculpture. During a preview of the exhibition, PEM’s coordinating curator, Ruthie Dibble, shared that Noguchi declared “I’m not a designer” in a 1949 interview, despite having already created furniture, industrial designs, and plans for public spaces. Over the following decades, he continued producing some of the 20th century’s most recognizable designs.

Visitors may recognize his iconic glass-topped coffee table and Akari light sculptures, made from traditional Japanese washi paper and bamboo. Light is a recurring element throughout the exhibition, from the softly glowing Akari sculptures to works that cast dramatic shadows across the gallery walls. During the tour, curators highlighted Seishu, an aluminum sculpture that Noguchi specifically designed to be displayed at a particular distance from the wall, allowing its shadows to become part of the presentation.

The exhibition also features lesser-known works with fascinating stories behind them. One highlight is a sculptural table originally commissioned for a Hawaiian pineapple company. Featuring a carved wooden spear fisherman and Plexiglas elements designed to suggest underwater movement, the piece was eventually dismantled and treated as a standalone sculpture. During research for the exhibition, curators rediscovered original components that had been stored away for decades, allowing visitors to see a partial recreation of Noguchi’s original design.

Noguchi’s interest in public spaces is another focus of the exhibition, including his imaginative designs for playgrounds and gardens. Visitors can even try out an original piece of Noguchi-designed playground equipment. The galleries also highlight his collaborations with other creative professionals, including modern dance pioneer Martha Graham. On display is Noguchi’s set design for Graham’s 1944 production of Appalachian Spring, featuring sculptural elements representing an American farmhouse.

Noguchi’s Japanese and American heritage and international travels are also explored throughout the exhibition. A section dedicated to his time in postwar Japan features the traditional craftsmanship that inspired his Akari light sculptures. PEM has incorporated historic Japanese lantern-making tools and materials from its own collection, along with a miniature Japanese lantern shop created in 1904, the year Noguchi was born.

Dr. Kurt Steinberg, PEM’s Acting Executive Director and CEO, shared during the exhibition preview: “Noguchi asks us to very simply slow down, to look again, to be comfortable with something that doesn’t fit neatly into a box.”

Whether you’re visiting Salem from out of town or looking for a cultural experience close to home, Isamu Noguchi: “I am not a designer” offers an opportunity to discover both familiar designs and rarely exhibited works.

The exhibition is on view at the Peabody Essex Museum, located at 161 Essex Street in downtown Salem, through January 3, 2027. The museum is open Thursday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm. Learn more and plan your visit at pem.org.