Image: Towada Art Center
Ron Mueck’s ‘Standing Woman’ will be designated a special resident of Towada, Japan, on September 11, 2026, under an initiative led by Towada City and the Towada Art Center. The decision concerns the work’s civic status rather than a new exhibition: the sculpture is already part of the museum’s permanent display and is described by the institution as one of its representative works.
The museum said the work has stood in Towada for 18 years, since the center opened in 2008. During that time, it has become a symbol of the institution and has been familiar to local residents and visitors. The announcement frames the new designation as a way of recognizing the sculpture not only as an object for public viewing, but also as a resident that has shared the city’s history over an extended period.
‘Standing Woman’ was made by the Australian-born artist Ron Mueck in 2007. The Towada Art Center identifies the work as part of its permanent collection or permanent presentation. The source announcement does not provide the sculpture’s dimensions, materials or acquisition history, and does not describe any change to its display location following the designation.
According to the museum, the initiative is intended to communicate how art has become rooted in Towada and has accumulated time alongside its people. The special-resident status is therefore being presented as a local cultural and civic project connected to the work’s long-term presence in the city, rather than as a temporary public-relations title for a forthcoming show.
A commemorative special resident certificate will be made available to general visitors at future museum events. The announcement does not specify which events will distribute the certificates or whether visitors will need to meet particular conditions to receive one.
The Towada Art Center is located at 10-9 Nishi-Nibancho, Towada, Aomori Prefecture. Its activities include permanent displays, temporary exhibitions, projects, events and learning programmes. The designation of ‘Standing Woman’ is scheduled to take effect on September 11, 2026.
