Fujinuma Noboru, Group of Sculptures, 2020-21, moso bamboo and lacquer, variable sizes

Fujinuma Noboru
August 18–September 30, 2023
Artist Opening Reception: Friday, August 18, 5–7pm
Artist Lecture: Saturday, August 19, 2–3pm

TAI Modern is pleased to welcome renowned bamboo artist Fujinuma Norboru, Living National Treasure of Japan, to Santa Fe for his second solo show with the gallery. It is already bound to be an exciting weekend in Santa Fe, with the opening reception this Friday, August 18 from 5-7pm, where the artist will be in attendance. Then on Saturday, they will host a talk given by Fujinuma-san from 2-3pm about his process, creative life, inspiration, along with much more..

This exhibition focuses on one of Fujinuma’s signature bodies of work, his mysterious and alluring lacquered bamboo cylinders. The process of making each piece a laborious one. Each carefully selected moso bamboo stalk is harvested, dried for two to three years, and carved into a form that accentuates the shape and individual qualities of that particular piece of bamboo. Then he begins to apply layers of multi-colored urushi lacquer, often upwards of 100 layers per piece. Each layer takes over eight hours to dry, so Fujinuma works on multiple cylinders simultaneously. Once he has finished applying lacquer, Fujinuma then sands through the layers, uncovering different geographies of color and composition. This results in beautifully rich and multihued pieces in a variety of sizes and complexity.

Fujinuma Noboru is an artist of immense talent and skill and has been recognized by the Japanese government as a Living National Treasure, or Preserver of Important Intangible Cultural Properties. This honor is only bestowed upon the greatest traditional artists in their given medium in Japan and has only been given to five other bamboo artists. Fujinuma Noboru was named the sixth Living National Treasure of Bamboo Art in 2012.

Despite his many honors and accomplishments, Fujinuma says, “In terms of climbing the mountain, I have not yet reached the top… One by one, I would like to leave better pieces behind. I strongly hope to create even better works of art.”

For view the exhibition and online catalogue, click here.

Tree and Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE Exhibition

Conversations with … An Expert on Tree and Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE
Thursday, August 17
3:00–3:30 PM
The Met Fifth Avenue – Gallery 999

Join John Guy, Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of the Arts of South and Southeast Asia, for an exploration of works in the recently opened exhibition Tree and Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE. Discover the origins of Buddhist art and newly discovered and never before publicly exhibited masterpieces.

Free with Museum admission. Note that space is limited; first come, first served.

Next talk will be on Tuesday, August 29, 3:00-3:30 PM with Kalyani Madhura Ramachandran, 2023–2024 Jane and Morgan Whitney Fellow, The Met.

For more information, click here.

Janice Chung, Union Street Plaza, 2022

Koreatown LA/NY
Photo Series by Emanuel Hahn/Janice Chung
Korea Society
Closes Thursday, August 17

Two young Korean-American photographers present a series of images, a poignant portrait of a community and its habitants from the areas considered to be "Koreatown"—one in Los Angeles, one in New York. Emanuel Hahn and Janice Chung document the lives and stories in two of the most diverse neighborhoods in America, as the communities and neighborhoods themselves continue to evolve and change. It is a celebration of the Korean immigrants and their experiences, and the artists ask the viewer to reconsider the common notions of what it means to be from "here."

The Korea Society Gallery is open only by appointment. The appointment must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit. To make an appointment, please contact [email protected].

For more information and to view the artist talks, click here.

Oishi Sayaka 大石早矢香 (b. 1980), Sensitive Apple – Black&White, 2022, stoneware, 9 x 7.8 x 7.4 in. (22.8 x 19.8 x 18.7 cm)

Clay in Motion: Women Artists in Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd.
Closes Friday, August 18

Clay in Motion: Women Artists in Japanese Ceramics spotlights the works of several distinguished contemporary women artists. From emerging artists, to artists who are part of a vanguard generation of highly influential post-war artists in Japan, the works presented in this exhibition are imbued with intelligence, creativity, and sensitivity for form.

Exhibited are works by artists Kitamura Junko, Tanaka Yu, Watanabe Aiko, Etsuko Tashima, Ayumi Shigematsu, Oishi Sayaka, Shingu Sayaka, Kishi Eiko, Matsuda Yuriko, Ogawa Machiko, Hiruma Kazuyo, Ueba Kasumi.

For more information, click here.

A Magnificently Illuminated Manuscript from the Libraries of the Khan Of Bukhara and the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; manuscript comprising the first half of the Qur’an, Central Asia, probably Bokhara, c. 1600-1625 A.D.

Acquired by the Detroit Institute of Art in 2007, this exquisitely-illuminated manuscript contains a library note, copied in the hand of Shah Jahan, in Persian nastal’iq in black ink reading that this Qur'an was removed from the library of Nadir Muhammad Khan of Bokhara after the battle of Balkh in 1646 A.D. and subsequently in the imperial library of emperor Shah Jahan.

Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor (r. 1627-58), was a keen bibliophile and continued the traditions of his predecessors by patronizing the artists of his court atelier and adding to the imperial collections. Although often better known for his patronage of architects and his personal love of precious stones, the production of the Padshahnama manuscript, the chronicle of his reign now in the Royal Library, Windsor, is alone testament to his connoisseurship.

Nadhr Muhammad Khan came to power in 1641 and under his leadership Bukhara flourished and his court was filled with the learned and the pious. He displayed immense wealth and it is reputed that he required a thousand camels to move into Bukhara. His reign was to be short-lived as he was forced to flee from Bukhara to Balkh when his son, Abdul-Aziz rebelled against his father in 1645 A.D. He asked for help from the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and as a result Balkh fell to the Mughals on 17th July 1646. The Mughal occupation was not a success and they were forced to hand back Balkh to Nadr Mohammad Khan on 13th October 1647. However, he never regained the authority he had had before and he abdicated after he had dominated the political life of Balkh for almost half a century. He died on his way to Mecca.

China Institute
40 Rector Street, 2nd Fl, NYC
Friday, August 11th, 6–8 pm
Tickets: $10; Free for Members & Students

Come to China Institute for a fun night of calligraphy and music with your friends and families, practice self-wellness with like-minded cultural enthusiasts, and experience rich cultures in our diverse city!

Participants are invited to practice writing with the guidance from our calligraphy expert, and to attend intimate Chinese music performances, where traditional and contemporary music of different regions and genres will be presented through various Chinese instruments. Take the chance to interact with our calligrapher, musicians and fellow cultural lovers too!

No previous experience of calligraphy is required. Ink, paper, and brush will be provided onsite. Simply come, enjoy writing and music performances. Explore a new culture or connect to your heritage!

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

Tanaka Kyokusho, Dark Ship II, 2020, madake bamboo, rattan, 8.50 x 28.50 x 5.00 in.

TAI Modern
Tanaka Kyokusho
Closes this Saturday, August 12th

As one of the most well-respected creators of bamboo art alive today, Tanaka holds himself to a high standard of process and vision and takes the time before each piece to compose and experiment with shape, colors, and the widths and spacings of the bamboo strips. This leads to a series of drafts, executed through technical sketches and physical samples to evaluate the aesthetic outcomes of these variables.

There is also a catalogue available for purchase in the gallery, which includes an excellent essay by Kyoto National Museum curator, Melissa Rinne, regarding Tanaka-san’s work and process.

Be sure to experience these masterful pieces before the show closes this weekend.

To view the exhibition and catalogue, click here.

From left to right: Water Pitcher 水注, enamel glazed porcelain, 6 x 9.6 x 7 in.; Flower Vessel 花器, enamel glazed porcelain, 9.9 x 6 x 5.9 in.; In her Shoes 2, 2008, enamel glazed porcelain, 6.5 x 10.5 x 3 in.

Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd.
Clay in Motion: Women Artists in Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
July 20–August 18, 2023

In the tradition of American Pop Art, celebrated ceramic artist, Matsuda Yuriko 松田百合子 (b. 1943) transforms traditional materials of porcelain and enamel glaze into colorful flights of imagination. Her use of everyday objects as central subjects in her eccentric work has a strange quality that pulls the viewer into the piece, demanding further investigation. While Matsuda finds inspiration in French artist Henri Matisse's use of vibrant, unnatural color in his paintings, her work remains deeply original in its essential zest for the things of everyday life.

Experience these whimsical works at Dai Ichi Art’s current group show Clay in Motion: Women Artists in Japanese Ceramics.  From emerging artists to those who are part of a vanguard generation of highly influential post-war artists in Japan, the works presented in this exhibition are imbued with intelligence, creativity, and sensitivity for form.

View Matsuda Yuriko's works here.

Kapala Bhairava – Nepal, 16th-17th c., 27 in.

Objects of Art / Santa Fe
August 10–13, 2023

El Museo Cultural – in the Railyard
555 Camino de la Familia
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Thomas Murray is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at Objects of Art & American Indian/Tribal Santa Fe this Thursday through Sunday. Be sure to visit and view these carefully curated art objects & textiles of exceptional quality and historic significance.

Below are a few preview highlights:

Nepal Bhairava Repoussé “Mask”, 17th-18th c., 8 ¾ x 6 ¾ x 3 in.

Lion Head Phurba, Nepal, 19th c. or earlier

To view the full exhibition, click here.

Koryo Celadon Inlaid Tile, Koryo Dynasty, 12th – 13th c. AD, Korea, L: 31.7 x H: 22.8cm

This extremely rare Koryo Celadon Tile, made of thin stoneware with a floral and bird decoration inlaid with white slip and iron oxide black details, was recently acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Korean Department.

Koryo Dynasty inlaid celadon tiles are exceedingly rare outside of Korea. They are almost exclusively found in Buddhist temple excavations, indicating that their use was reserved for this purpose. They are often found cracked due to their extreme thinness.

There is a similar example in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, acquired in 1933. Another is in the Cleveland Museum of Art since 1918. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has a smaller example published in their 1992 “An Introduction to Koryo Celadon”, pl.80. A fourth example from the Korean National Museum is published in “Sekai Touji Zenshu”, Shogakukan Tokyo, 1978 Vol. 18, pl. 147.

Presented by Gallery Korea at the Korean Cultural Center New York

Story of a Thousand Years: Master of Goryeo Celadon
Master Se-Yong Kim & Dr. Dohun Kim
Opening Reception: Thursday, August 10th, 6–8 pm
On View: August 10–31, 2023

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, the Korean Cultural Center New York is proud to host a special ceramics exhibition showcasing the extraordinary works of renowned artist Master Se-Yong Kim, who carries on the tradition of Goryeo Celadon with his son, Dr. Dohun Kim.

At the age of 77, Master Se-Yong Kim continues to actively create remarkable artworks that have gained international recognition, earning a place in esteemed collections such as those of the Dalai Lama and the late Queen Elizabeth II. This exhibition features over 50 pieces, granting visitors to witness the pinnacle of skill and innovative techniques employed by the master in the realm of Goryeo Celadon.

One of the highlights of this exhibition is the largest Celadon vase ever created, standing at an impressive height of 42 inches. This monumental piece took over a decade to complete, and its display provides a profound and meaningful experience for all who visit.

Join the Korean Cultural Center New York next Thursday, Aug 10 to celebrate the rich heritage of Korean Goryeo Celadon and the mastery of Master Se-Yong Kim and Dr. Dohun Kim, as they delve into the Story of a Thousand Years.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.