ASIA WEEK

Inoue Yuichi (Japanese, 1916-1985), Hin (poverty, the naked state of birth, in Zen philosophy), 1974, ink on Japanese paper, 107 × 126 cm (image); 109 × 128 cm (overall)

Masterpieces of Japanese Art: A Timeless Dialogue
March 14 – 21, 2025
Exhibiting at: Joan B Mirviss LTD, 39 East 78th Street, Suite 401
Asia Week Hours: March 14 & 17-21, 11am-6pm; March 15, 11am-5pm; March 16, 12-5pm (otherwise by appointment)

Shibunkaku is delighted to present Masterpieces of Japanese Art: A Timeless Dialogue, an exhibition showcasing the richness of Japanese artistry, from classical ink paintings to avant-garde expressions during this season’s Asia Week New York. Featuring masterpieces such as Hakuin Ekaku’s Edo-period Zen scrolls, Munakata Shikō’s dynamic woodcut prints, and Inoue Yuichi’s powerful single-character calligraphy, this collection highlights the enduring interplay between tradition and innovation, celebrating the timeless beauty of Japanese artistic expression.

They look forward to welcoming you to their exhibition in New York soon!

Kalacakra, Tibet, 18th c., gilt-copper alloy with pigment, h:13 3/8 in. (34 cm)

Classical Art from India and the Himalayas
March 13 – 21, 2025
Exhibiting at: Adam Williams Fine Art, 24 East 80th Street
Asia Week Hours: March 13-15 & 17-21, 10am-6pm; March 16, 11am-5pm (otherwise by appointment)

Carlton Rochell Asian Art is delighted to present Classical Art from India and the Himalayas, featuring several notable works from Tibet in this year’s Asia Week exhibition. From an American private collection is a rare image of the Buddhist divinity Kalacakra, beautifully cast in copper alloy and sumptuously gilded. It dates to the 18th century and shares some stylistic influences from the finest Qianlong period sculptures from China.

Another exquisite work is a painting depicting the Second Taklung Abbot Kuyalwa, commissioned for the Riwoche Monastery in Tibet and dating to c.1297-1366. This regal portrait has survived in remarkable condition with its vibrant mineral-based color palette of rich reds, blues, and yellows. The intricate details of his robe, throne and surrounding lineage figures are drawn in extremely-fine detail.

Finally, there is an elegant standing figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara hailing from the renowned Zimmerman Collection. One of the most popular bodhisattvas in the Buddhist pantheon, Avalokitesvara’s elegant tribhanga pose and right hand in a mudra bestowing charity reinforce his divine countenance. This work, which dates from the 15th century, has been published numerously in many exhibition catalogs.

They look forward to welcoming you soon to their exhibition!

To learn more, click here.

David Stanley Hewett, The Instant, 2024, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 60 H × 24 W × 1.5 D in (152.4 × 61 × 3.8 cm)

KOGEI and Art
March 13 – April 11, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday March 13, 6-8pm (with Artist Talk by George Inaki Root at 7pm)
Asia Week Hours: March 13–21, 10am-5pm, daily (otherwise by appointment)
16 East 79th Street

During this season’s Asia Week New York, Onishi Gallery is thrilled to showcase contemporary works that celebrate Japanese traditional craftsmanship and innovation at their newly established Upper East Side location.  KOGEI and Art features artworks that vary in mediums and categories of KOGEI, including metalwork, lacquerware, ceramic, screen and painting.

“KOGEI” refers to works made using materials and methods that have stood the test of time, reflecting uncompromising dedication to technical perfection and a search for new forms of expression. This exhibition highlights the growing role of KOGEI in contemporary Western lifestyle and global art and design. The title KOGEI and Art is given to reflect the unique character of KOGEI, not seen in other cultures, and to emphasize its separate but complementary status compared to “Art” in the conventional Western sense.

They look forward to seeing you soon in New York!

Courtesy Charles B. Wang Center

Cycles of Clay: The Ceramic Narratives of Sunkoo Yuh
March 7 – May 24, 2025
Artist lecture: Friday, March 7, 2025, 4-5pm in Theatre
Opening reception: Friday, March 7, 2025, 5-7pm in Skylight Gallery

Charles B. Wang Center is delighted to present Cycles of Clay: The Ceramic Narratives of Sunkoo Yuh, an exhibition exploring the profound creativity of Sunkoo Yuh, an artist who navigates the intersections of cultural heritage and contemporary expression. Yuh’s ceramic sculptures combine bold colors, evocative imagery, and intricate figures layered vertically to evoke histories and community connection. Themes of Buddhist cycles, Confucian ideals, and sociopolitical commentary permeate his works, which includes monumental pieces like Long Beach Summer and Athens Winter. Through experimental glazing and unpredictable firing techniques, Yuh captures the tension between order and chaos to create visually compelling sculptures that explore life’s beauty, fragility, and complexity.

Join The Wang Center for both the artist lecture and opening reception on Friday, March 7th. They look forward to welcoming you for engaging conversations over refreshments, good company, and art!

To learn more and RSVP for free, click here.

Wada Morihiro (1944-2008), Yōmonki; Dancing Pattern Vessel, ca. 2007, glazed and slip-glazed stoneware, 14 1/2 x 8 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.; Kakugen jōmonki; Brilliance and Mystery Banded Pattern Vessel, ca. 2006, slip-glazed stoneware, 20 x 10 5/8 x 7 in; Hōenki II; Square and Round Vessel II, ca. 2006, slip-glazed stoneware with Oribe glazed interior, 11 3/4 x 21 1/4 x 11 5/8 in.

BEYOND THE SURFACE: The Unity of Form and Pattern in the Work of Wada Morihiro (1944-2008)
March 13 – 21, 2025
Asia Week Hours: March 13–14 & 17–21, 11am-6pm, March 15, 11am-5pm, March 16, 12-5pm
39 East 78th Street, Suite 401

Presented by Joan B Mirviss LTD, Beyond Surface: The Unity of Form and Pattern in the Work of Wada Morihiro (1944-2008), an exhibition fifteen years in the making, will be the first comprehensive retrospective for this seminal clay master during Asia Week New York. It will showcase seventy works, most acquired directly from the estate of the artist, representing nearly all of his diverse patterns on his ever-changing forms. Eleven of these works, including two unique entwining-vine patterned vessels previously unseen outside Japan, were intended for his 2008 solo exhibition at the gallery–– a show that would have been Wada’s first comprehensive retrospective–– had it not been for his untimely passing. Fortunately, the Wada family reserved these works and many others and then encouraged Joan B Mirviss LTD to host this important exhibition in New York. A bilingual, fully illustrated, scholarly book with essays by four leading Japanese scholars accompanies the exhibition and is now available for purchase.

They look forward to welcoming you soon to experience this exceptional exhibition.

To learn more, click here.

Yuen Fu Rapids, John Thomson, carbon print, From Foochow and the River Min, c.1870

Sun and Silver: Early Photographs of China by Lai Fong and John Thomson
March 13 – 21, 2025
Opening Reception: Tuesday, March 18 from 6-8pm
Exhibiting at: 10 West 18th Street, 7th Floor
Asia Week Hours: By appointment from March 13-14 & 18-21, 10am-5pm; March 15, 11am-5pm

Loewentheil Photography of China Collection is thrilled to present Sun and Silver: Early Photographs of China by Lai Fong and John Thomson during this season’s Asia Week New York. This exhibition brings together masterpieces by two giants of 19th-century photography of China.  Lai Fong and John Thomson originated many of the most significant developments in the early art of photography in China. This show reveals the intricate and fascinating relationship between the works of the most famous early Chinese photographer and those of his leading foreign contemporary. The two photographers crossed paths, competed for patrons, and had a meaningful influence on one another and the art of photography.

This major exhibition gives viewers the opportunity to compare and contrast Lai Fong’s expressive artistry and technical ingenuity alongside Thomson’s stylistic virtuosity.

Sun and Silver: Early Photographs of China by Lai Fong and John Thomson spans the careers of both artists through the finest examples of vintage prints, all dating to the 1860s and 1870s. It also presents works by other 19th-century photography studios in China that share the themes and subjects of Lai Fong’s and Thomson’s photographs. The exhibition suggests new ways of looking at the origins of photography in China.

This exhibition of works by Lai Fong and John Thomson presents a tiny sliver of the holdings of the Loewentheil Collection, the most important collection of early China photographs in the world.

They look forward to welcoming you soon!

Installation view, Along The Way: Transforming the Traditional

Along The Way: Transforming the Traditional
Closing Saturday, March 8, 2025
65 East 80th Street

This is the final week of Along The Way: Transforming the Traditional, the New York City debut of Atlanta-based multi-disciplinary artist Brandon Sadler at Fu Qiumeng Fine Art. Through a thoughtful blend of assemblage, calligraphy, and expressive ink painting, Sadler explores the rich traditions of East Asian art, reinterpreting them through the lens of his personal and cultural experiences. This exhibition highlights Sadler’s evolving journey of artistic discovery, bridging past and present to invite viewers into a dialogue on the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit across time and space.

Sadler’s practice is inspired by a diverse array of influences, including graffiti, illustration, and an ongoing study of East Asian art forms—particularly ink calligraphy and woodblock prints. His approach is a sincere inquiry, weaving a dynamic tapestry of cross-cultural exchange and human connection. Across three primary series—assemblage, calligraphy, and lotus painting—Sadler traces a path of exploration from the tangible to the intangible, emphasizing his central belief that nothing is disconnected.

For Sadler, art is inseparable from life—a form of Kung Fu where personal growth and creative practice are one. His studio serves as both a shrine for disciplined craft and a sanctuary for philosophical and spiritual practice. Through focused energy and awareness of the present, Sadler creates works that encourage a deep introspection of one’s spiritual journey and cultural inheritance. Along the Way: Transforming the Traditional fosters a vision of art as a living bridge connecting past and present, tradition and innovation, self and the world.

To learn more, click here.

Celestial horse. Han dynasty, 1st-2nd century CE. Bronze, 44 7/8 x 34 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (113.98 x 87.63 x 36.83 cm); Courtesy China Institute of America

Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art
March 6 – July 13, 2025
Curator’s Lecture: Thursday, March 6 from 6:30-8pm (RSVP)
Asia Week Open House: Friday, March 14 from 10am-8pm (Free)

The China Institute Gallery is pleased to present Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes from the Minneapolis Institute of Art showcasing one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient Chinese bronzes outside of China from a crucial period in the history of human civilization. Traveling from the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the extraordinary Bronze Age vessels for food and wine as well as imaginative animal sculptures, are on view for the first time in New York City.

Bronze casting in China, which began over 4,000 years ago, stands as one of the greatest achievements in early metalcraft. During the Shang (1600–1046 BCE) and Zhou (1046–256 BCE) dynasties, the period known as the Bronze Age, ritual bronze vessels played a central role in ancestor worship, a cornerstone of Chinese spiritual and social life. Each vessel type served a specific purpose in ritual ceremonies and was adorned with intricate designs that symbolized power, spirituality, and cosmic harmony. Many were inscribed to honor ancestors, rulers, or to commemorate significant events, blending artistic mastery with historical record. These vessels, crafted using advanced casting techniques, were not only functional but also remarkable testaments to technological and cultural sophistication.

With more than 70 objects ranging from a wine vessel in the form of a double-owl from the Late Shang dynasty, 12th century BCE, to a celestial horse sculpture from the Han dynasty, 1st to 2nd century CE, this exhibition explores the diverse forms, functions, and symbolic meanings of ancient Chinese bronzes, providing a window into the spiritual and artistic essence of early Chinese civilization.

Join their Curator’s Lecture on opening day where Dr. Liu Yang, Chair of Asian Art and Curator of Chinese Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, will trace the formation of Alfred Pillsbury’s collection of ancient bronzes at Mia—widely regarded as one of the finest assemblages of ancient Chinese bronzes in the United States—and offer updated perspectives on many masterpieces from this remarkable assemblage. To RSVP and learn more, click here.

Also be sure to attend the Asia Week York Open House on March 14 as they join our celebration of Asian art and culture amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry of New York City. Join for an immersive experience that connects the past with the present, and witness firsthand the enduring beauty and historical significance of ancient masterpieces. Enjoy light refreshments as you explore the exhibition!

To learn more, click here.

First Row (L-R): Tokonoma Sculpture of Hotei, God of Happiness and Good Fortune, 1793, wood with gesso and pigment, inlaid glass eyes, 25 x 16 x 16.5 in., with extensive inscription on bottom, bearing the signature of the carver Seiyodo Tomiharu, courtesy Carole Davenport; Takashi Seto, A-UN (A) (detail), 2024, Yuzen-dyed silk fabric, gofun, gold leaf, silver leaf, urushi lacquer, cotton fabric mounted on wood panel, 55.1 x 39.4 in., courtesy Seizan Gallery; Wada Morihiro, Overlapping Comma Pattern Vessel, ca. 2004, glazed and slip-glazed stoneware, 14 1/2 x 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 in., photography by Richard Goodbody, courtesy Joan B Mirviss LTD; Second Row (L-R): Shota Suzuki, Gingko Leaf, 2023, brass, gold powder, 21 5/8 x 9 x 10 1/4 in., courtesy Ippodo Gallery; A Group of Ceramic Works by Kawai Kanijro (1890-1966), courtesy Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd.; Kongo Rikishi Statue (Agyo), h:85 cm, courtesy Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art; Third Row (L-R): Onihira Keiji, Box with Design in Maki-e, “Memories Come Back,” 2013, white-lipped pearl oyster, South Sea abalone shell, gold, and pearl oyster, 5 1/2 × 11 1/2 × 6 1/2 in., courtesy Onishi Gallery; Yamaguchi Takeo
(Japanese, 1902-1983), Tai, 1974, oil on board, framed, 23 x 37 / 26 x 40 cm (overall), courtesy Shinbunkaku; Nagakura Kenichi, Whirling Dance, 2017, madake bamboo, washi paper, mixed media, 24 x 12 x 8 in., courtesy TAI Modern; Last Row: Inoue Hakuyō (1893-1969), Late Summer, c. 1920, Pair of two-panel folding screens; mineral pigments shell powder and ink on hemp, each screen: 66¾ x 74¼ in., courtesy Thomsen Gallery

Asia Week New York is almost here! Our third preview celebrates Japanese paintings and objects from ten esteemed AWNY dealers. Discover these stunning works arriving next month!

Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd.
Mingei Modern
March 13 – 21, 2025
18 East 64th Street, Suite 1F

Explore the legacy of the Mingei Movement in 20th-century Japan with Mingei Modern, a curated selection of exceptional ceramics, textiles, and paintings by pioneers like Kawai Kanjiro, Hamada Shoji, Bernard Leach, Shimaoka Tatsuzo, Murata Gen, Munakata Shiko, Serizawa Keisuke, and others.

Carole Davenport
What’s in a Title: Japanese Works of Art from Ancient to Modern
March 13 – 21, 2025
John Molloy Gallery, 49 East 78th Street, Suite 2B

The gallery is delighted to return to Asia Week New York with a fine selection of Japanese and Asian works of art, including a superb 18th century Tokonoma Sculpture of Hotei, God of Happiness and Good Fortune.

Ippodo Gallery
Light and Abundance: Gold in Japanese Art
March 13 – 21, 2025
35 N. Moore Street

The immutable beauty of gold takes center stage in this inaugural exhibition of their new flagship Tribeca location, showcasing fourteen master artists’ newest pieces in lacquer, metal, Nihonga painting, and ceramics.

Joan B Mirviss LTD
Beyond the Surface: The Unity of Form and Pattern in the Work of Wada Morihiro
March 13 – 21, 2025
39 East 78th Street, Suite 401

A fifteen-year endeavor culminates in this remarkable exhibition—the first comprehensive retrospective for the seminal clay master—presenting seventy works, most acquired directly from the estate of the artist, representing nearly all of his diverse patterns on his ever-changing forms.

Onishi Gallery
KOGEI and Art
March 13 – April 11, 2025
16 East 79th Street

KOGEI represents works crafted with time-honored materials and techniques, embodying an unwavering commitment to technical mastery and the pursuit of new artistic expression. This exhibition highlights contemporary pieces that honor Japan’s rich tradition of craftsmanship while embracing innovation across diverse mediums, including metalwork, lacquerware, ceramics, screens, and painting.

Seizan Gallery
Takashi Seto: Moments of Arrival
March 6 – May 3, 2025
525 West 26th Street

Seizan Gallery returns to Asia Week New York with Takashi Seto: Moments of Arrival, the artist’s first solo exhibition in New York. Fifteen canvases highlight Seto’s innovative use of Yuzen dyeing and Shippaku metal leaf, transforming traditional techniques into contemporary explorations of time and culture.

Shibunkaku
Masterpieces of Japanese Art: A Timeless Dialogue
March 13 – 21, 2025
Joan B Mirviss LTD, 39 East 78th Street, Suite 401

“Tai,” by Japanese artist Yamaguchi Takeo–one of the works of art in this exhibition–reflects his deep connection to his Asian roots, symbolized by his use of yellow ochre and Venetian red.

TAI Modern
From Timber to Tiger: The Many Bamboos of Japanese Bamboo Art
March 13 – 21, 2025
Colnaghi, 23 East 67th Street, Fourth Floor

This exhibition showcases artistic innovation with unusual materials, from rare bamboo to lotus root to Bakelite. Highlights include pieces by master Yamamoto Chikuryusai II, a member of a leading Osaka bamboo lineage, and modern master Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, who uses new techniques and materials for his intricate creations.

Thomsen Gallery
Japanese Modern Masterpieces 1910-1950
March 13 – 21, 2025
9 East 63rd Street

Thomsen Gallery’s exhibition features a visually arresting pair of screens that masterfully blends two prominent subjects of early 20th-century Nihonga painting: depictions of both native and imported flora, and portraits of elegant women.

Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art
New Acquisitions
March 13 – 18, 2025
Nicholas Hall, 17 East 76th Street, 4F

Among the New Acquisitions at Hiroshi Yanagi Oriental Art, a striking Kongo Rikisi (Vajrayaksa) stands out. This expressive Buddhist protector deity, showcasing the realism characteristic of the Kamakura period, reflects the emergence of the samurai and the transition from the nobility to landowning military men.