ASIA WEEK

Rasalila, illustration from a dispersed Harivamsha series, numbered 86 on the reverse, attributed to Purkhu, Kangra, c. 1800-15, opaque pigments and gold on paper, folio: 36 x 47.2 cm (including red border)

Autumn Highlights
Purkhu Harivamsha Folios and the Rind Album Pages

Francesca Galloway is delighted to present their Autumn Highlights, featuring a fine selection of works from private collections, many of which are newly available to the market. Amongst these, The Purkhu Harivamsha folios and the Rind Album pages in particular are exciting folios, as are a small group of Mughal material acquired on the London market in the 1970s.

Two of the paintings from the Purkhu Harivamsha Series belong to a well-known Pahari series of the Harivamsha (Genealogy of Hari [Vishnu]). Comprising 16,374 shlokas and traditionally credited to the ancient sage Vyasa, the text of the Harivamsha recounts the life of Krishna in a level of detail matched only by the Bhagavata Purana. This particular series, which consists of large number of paintings without a running text or even a brief synopsis on the reverse, is widely associated with the work of Purkhu, a leading artist of the Punjab Hills.

Other standout pieces include two large watercolors made for the the Rind Album, compiled by Major James Nathaniel Rind (baptised 1753-1814). Born in Scotland, Rind traveled to India in 1778 and was stationed there until 1801, spending much of his time based in Calcutta from 1793 to 1801. Paintings from Rind’s extensive album were first introduced to a wider audience at Sotheby’s in 1971, when part of his collection was sold by his descendants, including their Portrait of a Bengali (lot 48). While many of Rind’s paintings are relatively conventional, some are truly extraordinary, including their large and impressive painting, A Bengal Catfish from the Hugli River. Almost certainly painted from life and to scale, this is one of a relatively small number of paintings of fish commissioned by Europeans from Indian artists in the closing years of the 18th century.

The gallery warmly invites you to schedule a private appointment to explore these magnificent works and more in their space in Holland Park.

To view them and learn more, click here.

Yang Renkai, Ink and Inspiration, 翰墨缘, 2006, Chinese ink on paper 水墨纸本, 16 1/2 x 30 in. (41.9 x 76.2 cm)

Ink and Inspiration
October 24 – December 14, 2024
Opening Reception: Nov 7, 2024 from 5-8pm

As autumn deepens, Fu Qiumeng Fine Art is pleased to present their year-end group exhibition, Ink and Inspiration.

At the heart of East Asian painting and calligraphy is a deep understanding of the “brush,” and inseparable from that is the use of “ink.” Together, brush and ink have given rise to artistic traditions that have evolved over thousands of years and continue to influence the modern world today. This dynamic interplay between simplicity and complexity—depth and breadth—creates endless possibilities, much like the ancient game of Go, where simple rules lead to infinite strategies.

The theme of this exhibition is drawn from a plaque by Yang Renkai, titled Ink and Inspiration. Yang Renkai was a prominent member of the appraisal team that authenticated Chinese paintings and calligraphy in the early years of the People’s Republic of China. He conducted extensive research on priceless works lost from the Forbidden City during the late Qing dynasty, rediscovering treasures like Along the River During the Qingming Festival. In 1975, Yang Renkai visited the U.S. to study Chinese paintings and calligraphy in American museums, and he wrote widely about his findings. In 2006, at the age of 91, Yang Renkai created the above work, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to brush and ink. His work serves as a reflection of FQM’s long-standing mission to celebrate these artistic traditions.

This exhibition features works by Huang Junbi (1898-1991) and Hu Yefu (1908-1980), representing traditional approaches to brush and ink. We also showcase an early work from 1941 by C. C. Wang, which captures his youthful obsession with mastering brush techniques. This piece is contrasted with a later work from Wang’s mature years, revealing the evolution of his artistry. Yu Peng (1955-2014) brings a fresh, unconventional approach to brushwork, introducing bold colors and innovative compositions that pushed the boundaries of ink painting at the turn of the 20th century. Chen Danqing (b. 1953), known primarily for his oil paintings, demonstrates a deep respect for traditional calligraphy, with brushwork that recalls the style of Ming dynasty masters. Finally, the collaborative work of Michael Cherney (b. 1969) and Arnold Chang (b. 1954) represents the modern extension of brush and ink into the contemporary art world, where tradition and innovation meet.

To learn more, click here.

Courtesy Alisan Fine Arts

Hidden Stories
Opening Reception: Wednesday, October 30 from 6-8pm
October 30 – December 21, 2024

Save the date for Alisan Fine Arts’ upcoming exhibition, Hidden Stories, featuring six contemporary artists who work with photography as their primary medium. The artists in the exhibition are all storytellers; Rene Balcer, Stephen King and Myeong Soo Kim form narratives through their depictions of natural landscape, while South Ho, Ho Tam and Pixy Liao’s imagery is more personal, showing glimpses of everyday life, cityscapes and moments that enter the surreal.

In the meantime, don’t miss the chance to view their current exhibit, Chinyee: Enraptured by Color, before it closes on Saturday, October 26th. Explore the lyrical beauty of Chinyee’s vibrant color field paintings and watercolor collages, where East meets West in a harmonious fusion of artistic expression.

To learn more, click here.

Installation view, Yarnscapes: Mulyana’s Environmental Tapestries, Charles B. Wang Center

Yarn Reimagined: Artistic Crochet Using Excess Yarn By Mulyana
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 2:00-3:00pm
100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY
Stony Brook University Lecture Hall 1

Experience the fascinating world of crochet art in the featured exhibit, Yarnscapes: Mulyana’s Environmental Tapestries, with Mulyana, an acclaimed Indonesian artist known for his vibrant and intricate textile creations.

Charles B. Wang Center is thrilled to host this unique lecture where Mulyana will share his inspiring journey into the world of crochet, where excess yarn is transformed into breathtaking art. Mulyana will also explore the innovative techniques and creative approaches that breathe new life into leftover materials. This lecture will ignite your creativity and showcase the boundless possibilities of crochet artistry.

To learn more and register for free, click here.

Installation view, The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima and Waves of Resistance, Onishi Gallery

The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima and Waves of Resistance
Closing Saturday, October 26, 2024
16 E 79th Street, NYC

There’s still time to experience Onishi Gallery‘s two concurrent exhibitions – The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima and Waves of Resistance – showcasing captivating creations by artists who masterfully transform urushi, the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree, into mesmerizing works of art.

Curated by owner Nana Onishi, The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima is a group exhibition highlighting three Living National Treasures—Yamagishi Kazuo, Komori Kunie, and Mae Fumio—alongside twelve local artists, while Waves of Resistance features luxury tableware conceptualized, curated, and art directed by New York-based interior designer Melissa Bowers. In collaboration with Senshudo, a long-established Wajima lacquerware company, this eleven-piece luxury tabletop collection reflects Japan’s seas, skies, and journeys of healing, using the traditional art of lacquer to reflect the normally tranquil beauty of the earthquake-affected local landscape and the strength of its people.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see all these exquisite pieces before the show closes on Saturday, October 26th!

For more information, click here and to view their online catalog, click here.

Installation view, Quiet Elegance: The Ceramics of Fukumoto Fuku, Joan B Mirviss LTD

Quiet Elegance: The Ceramics of Fukumoto Fuku
Closing Friday, October 25, 2024
39 East 78th St, Ste 401

There’s still time to catch the ethereal works of Japanese artist Fukumoto Fuku in Quiet Elegance: The Ceramics of Fukumoto Fuku at Joan B Mirviss LTD before the exhibit closes on October 25th!

In her third solo show, the artist presents over two dozen captivating sculptures and alluring teabowls, distinguished by their soft, radiant, unglazed surfaces and highlighted with glistening glazes. The color palette ranges from deep cobalt and teal to delicate powder blue and soft gray, creating a mesmerizing interplay of tones that continue to enthrall collectors and curators.

Starting on the wheel, she masterfully shapes each thinly walled form with organically irregular rims. For her current series of sculptural vessels, she then slices the upper area into sections before the initial bisque firing. She next re-stacks the often undulating pairings, applying gradated, colorful glazes as the “glue” between the segments before the second high-temperature firing. With the final addition of platinum or gold leaf, her finished forms may reference the ephemeral radiance of the sun or a full moon peeking through clouds or mist – a wistful beauty that belies the permanence of these heavenly bodies.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience these enchanting porcelain vessels for yourself!

To learn more and view the online catalog, click here.