En Gallery Presents SHIZEN: Depictions of Nature in Japanese Art
01/24/2020 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM PT
Description
SHIZEN 自然
Depictions of Nature in Japanese Art
Depictions of Nature in Japanese Art
En Gallery
Opens Friday, January 24
During the garden's open hours or by appointment
Image: Cranes over Waves by Keichi Nishimura, c.1990.
Original painting on silk in mineral pigments, gofun (powdered clam shell) and sumi ink
Original painting on silk in mineral pigments, gofun (powdered clam shell) and sumi ink
The Japanese have lived close to nature for centuries, both physically and spiritually. About 70% of the Japanese archipelago is mountainous, lush with greenery and prone to volcanic activity, so its people are sensitive to nature and its many movements. Traditionally, the Japanese have treated the natural word with great respect, worshipping the gods, or kami (literally "higher beings"), that they believe to inhabit every aspect of nature and featuring nature prominently in their literature and art.
In Japanese art, the most common subject matter in paintings, prints, textiles, lacquer and other art forms has been nature--in particular details such as birds, flowers, trees, animals, but also landscapes--and these subjects often relate to the four seasons. Most famously, the cherry blossom symbolizes the spring, the kingfisher represents summer, maple leaves represent autumn and the pine tree stands for winter. Even in Japanese depictions of people in paintings and woodblock prints, nature is present, either in the setting or in the motifs decorating the kimono they wear.
This exhibition presents a sampling of Japanese prints and paintings of different formats in which nature and natural motifs play an important role. The exhibition is curated by Meher McArthur, a Japanese art historian and Creative Director at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden. The works in the exhibition are all available for purchase, and the proceeds will support the educational programming at the garden.
Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden
270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena CA 91105