Celebrating Asian Art

Kingfisher Headdresses from China
May 21, 2022-May 21, 2023
Since ancient times, Chinese poets have praised the plumage of the kingfisher, a bird widely found in the tropical regions of Asia. The brilliant turquoise-blue is not a pigment but results from the way their transparent feathers refract light. By the Song dynasty (960–1278), portraits of empresses showed them wearing headdresses adorned with kingfisher ornaments. Few examples of this fragile artistry have survived, and the earliest ones come from the tomb of the Wanli Emperor (reigned 1572–1620), in which archaeologists found four elaborate kingfisher crowns worn by his empresses.

Among Friends and Family
July 2-September 25, 2022
The many cultures and traditions across Asia offer countless examples of visually beautiful and emotionally profound art reflecting the importance of time spent with loved ones. The Among Friends and Family exhibition presents a selection of objects from China, Japan, and Korea that portray some of the gatherings that invigorate both everyday life and special occasions.

Recollections of Tokyo
July 2-September 25, 2022
Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 but developed at an astounding rate over the next few decades. During this period, a number of printmakers documented their impressions of both the ruin of the city and its rebirth. In this Japanese print exhibition, the representation of lost buildings and outmoded entertainments can remind us of time’s passage and the ever-changing nature of a dynamic urban metropolis.