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The Tolman Collection specializes in contemporary graphic arts, including woodblocks, lithographs, etchings, drypoints, mezzotints, stencils and silkscreens. The gallery represents more than four dozen prominent artists, including Toko Shinoda (1913 to 2021), an internationally renowned abstract painter who also released more than 315 pieces exclusively produced for the Tolman Collection.

In the postwar period, contemporary printmaking made particularly remarkable progress in the Japanese art scene. From the early 1950s to the mid-1970s, numerous print exhibitions were held annually around the world. Japanese print artists were among the first to participate in these international exhibitions and rapidly deepened their exchanges with foreign countries. They received top prizes at these exhibitions one after another and were highly acclaimed internationally. Even today, Japanese contemporary prints are highly valued, winning awards at overseas competitions on a regular basis.

The Tolman Collection was founded by former U.S. diplomat Norman Tolman and his wife, Mary, in 1972 in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward. The gallery is now into its second generation, operated by Allison Tolman and situated centrally in Minato Ward. It is just seven minutes from Hamamatsucho Station, three minutes from Daimon Station on the Asakusa and Oedo lines, seven from Zojoji temple and 12 from the iconic Tokyo Tower.

With bases in Tokyo and New York, the gallery participates in international art fairs, introducing original prints and paintings, many of which are exclusively made for The Tolman Collection. The gallery staff is ready and able to assist clients in both English and Japanese.