Art
Inside the Japanese Women’s Wrestling League Bringing Fierce Athleticism—And Major Style—to Art Basel
The theatrical spectacle of a Sukeban event blends performance-art style choreography with comedy, pageantry, and the marvel of costumes created by designer Olympia Le-Tan and milliner Stephen Jones. The league also solicited the Jamie Reid Studio in London and manga artist Sakana Koji to help hone its visual identity. For Sukeban’s second-ever match, at Art Basel, they enlisted additional collaborators like makeup artist Isamya Ffrench and nail artist Mei Kawajiri. (Yet another marvel unique to the Sukeban roster: the ability to wrestle without breaking any acrylics.) Actor Kunichi Nomura is the evening’s host, and the match’s victors will receive a championship belt designed by Marc Newson. Yet those who already follow women’s wrestling in Japan know that Sukeban’s athletes are just as impressive as the creatives affiliated with the project. “I have been working with Sukeban for more than a year, helping to scout and sign the strongest roster of wrestlers in the world,” says Nakano. (They vary in age from their late teens to mid 50s.)
Much like in drag, the world of Sukeban is rich with mythology. Each athlete on the roster has a unique backstory, persona, and distinguishing strengths and weaknesses. To give them a fresh start within the Sukeban league, Le-Tan helped to create new personas (with coinciding outfits) for the athletes—ones distinct from their typical avatars in Japan, where they wrestle under different names. The Sukeban roster includes wrestlers like Bingo, “the resident evil clown,” Midnight Player, “a rugged biker,” and Atomic Banshee, “an anarchic punk.” Asked which costumes she is proudest of, Le-Tan mentions Lady Antoinette, whom she described as a “wayward Marie Antoinette in Galliano and latex,” as well as Commander Nakajima and Countess Saori, who are “two villains dressed as Victorian goths.” The characters Le-Tan created mirror Sukeban’s broader mission of centering the talents of the women involved, rather than pandering to the objectifying male gaze that has long shaped women’s wrestling. “In most [women’s] wrestling all over the world, there’s a lot of flesh. They’re basically in bikinis,” says Le-Tan. “I wanted to make it more about the skill of the wrestlers, because they’re great athletes. When you see the wild stuff they do, it’s mind-blowing! I felt they deserved to look like the superheroes that they are.”
The name “Sukeban” refers to the subculture of “delinquent girls” who became prominent in Japan during the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Known for their petty crimes and schoolgirl-inspired outfits—which included elongated skirts designed to conceal weapons, Converse sneakers, and knotted Girl Scout scarves worn under sailor collars—these girl gangs rebelled against the narrow confines of Japanese gender roles, and more generally against a culture that reveres discipline and conformity. Nakano is a longtime admirer of the sukeban subculture and says the wrestling collective wants to honor and carry forward their ethos of defiance. “It was a way to express dissatisfaction for middle and high school students who were frustrated with Japan’s male-dominated society. The wrestling ring has reawakened this spirit.”
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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