COLLECTION
Kazuo Nakamura, the collector and founder, began collecting Haring’s works after encountering a piece in New York in 1987. Currently, the museum houses approximately 300 works, alongside over 700 archival items including photographs, videos, and goods produced during Haring’s lifetime. The Nakamura Keith Haring Collection continues to acquire works to convey the breadth of Keith Haring’s diverse creative endeavors. In 2017, the museum added the Patricia Field Art Collection, collected by the world-renowned stylist and costume designer Patricia Field, and also began showcasing and collecting works from emerging artists.
Kazuo Nakamura
Founder and Director of the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Born in Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan in 1946.
Following his graduation from the School and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Kyoto University, he begins working for Sankyo Co., Ltd. (now Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.)
After working as a project leader at Sankyo for the development of the blockbuster drug, Mevalotin, which helps lower high blood pressure and cholesterol, he begins working independently.
In 1987, in New York he discovered the work of Keith Haring and started his collection.
In 1992, he founded CMIC (now CMIC Holdings Co., Ltd.) and started Japan’s first CRO (Contract Research Organization) and the business have been expanding. Also he has participated as a committee member in numerous national projects related to clinical trials, drug discovery, and promotion of science and technology.
In 2007, he established the Nakamura Keith Haring Collection in Kobuchizawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi prefecture. This is the only museum in the world to exclusively exhibit works of Keith Haring.
