Exhibition/event has ended.
Ryushi Kawabata “Nihonga Goes Beyond the Bounds”
Yamatane Museum of Art
Finished
SHARE
Artists
Ryushi Kawabata
Nihonga style painter Ryushi Kawabata (1885-1966) produced works throughout his lifetime that appealed to the masses, advocating the creation of a healthy and strong form of art. He continually challenged traditional frameworks, turning from Western-style painting to Japanese “nihonga” painting, creating large scale artworks, and later withdrawing from Inten - the annual exhibition arranged members of the Japan Art Institute - to establish his own nihonga art circle named “Seiryusha.” This exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kawabata’s death will reflect on his painting, presenting a number of masterpieces that span his artistic career.
After moving to Tokyo, the Wakayama-born Kawabata began practicing as a Western-style painter, his work later accepted to the Ministry of Education sponsored Bunten exhibition. In his twenties, Kawabata started to get work as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines, this experience contributing to the journalistic view of contemporary society that can be noted as one of the characteristics of his work. Later he traveled to the United States to study Western-style painting, but switched to the nihonga genre upon returning to Japan. Kawabata taught himself how to paint in the nihonga style and was invited to exhibit at the highly-regarded Inten exhibition when he was just 30 years old. However, at a time when a delicate and detailed style of nihonga was in favor, Kawabata’s large scale pieces composed of bold ideas and brushstrokes were criticized as “venue art,” this friction within the organization eventually leading to his withdrawal. It was following this that Kawabata founded “Seiryusha,” in 1929, holding exhibitions throughout the war years and presenting work independently.
This exhibition presented in two parts will introduce Western-style paintings from early on in his career as well as works from the period when he was showing at Inten, pieces such as “Maelstroms at Naruto” (Yamagami Art Museum), which was displayed at the first Seiryusha exhibition, and “Seeds of Grasses” (Ryushi Memorial Museum), which demonstrates Kawabata’s skill and wit while also incorporating hints of decorative techniques from the Heian era (794–1185).
“Hsianglufeng Mountains” (Ryushi Memorial Museum), a work more than 7.2 meters wide and considered symbolic of his “venue art” will also be presented. Various materials offering insight into the inner workings of Kawabata, a sincere and gentle figure, will be shown publicly for the first time. There are many works that small children and families are sure to enjoy.
Part One: June 24 - July 23
Part Two: July 25 - August 20
After moving to Tokyo, the Wakayama-born Kawabata began practicing as a Western-style painter, his work later accepted to the Ministry of Education sponsored Bunten exhibition. In his twenties, Kawabata started to get work as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines, this experience contributing to the journalistic view of contemporary society that can be noted as one of the characteristics of his work. Later he traveled to the United States to study Western-style painting, but switched to the nihonga genre upon returning to Japan. Kawabata taught himself how to paint in the nihonga style and was invited to exhibit at the highly-regarded Inten exhibition when he was just 30 years old. However, at a time when a delicate and detailed style of nihonga was in favor, Kawabata’s large scale pieces composed of bold ideas and brushstrokes were criticized as “venue art,” this friction within the organization eventually leading to his withdrawal. It was following this that Kawabata founded “Seiryusha,” in 1929, holding exhibitions throughout the war years and presenting work independently.
This exhibition presented in two parts will introduce Western-style paintings from early on in his career as well as works from the period when he was showing at Inten, pieces such as “Maelstroms at Naruto” (Yamagami Art Museum), which was displayed at the first Seiryusha exhibition, and “Seeds of Grasses” (Ryushi Memorial Museum), which demonstrates Kawabata’s skill and wit while also incorporating hints of decorative techniques from the Heian era (794–1185).
“Hsianglufeng Mountains” (Ryushi Memorial Museum), a work more than 7.2 meters wide and considered symbolic of his “venue art” will also be presented. Various materials offering insight into the inner workings of Kawabata, a sincere and gentle figure, will be shown publicly for the first time. There are many works that small children and families are sure to enjoy.
Part One: June 24 - July 23
Part Two: July 25 - August 20
Schedule | Jun 24 (Sat) 2017-Aug 20 (Sun) 2017 Opening Hours Information
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Adults: ¥1200, University and High School Students: ¥900, Junior High School Students and Under: Free | ||||||
| Website | http://www.yamatane-museum.jp/exh/english/2017/kawabata.html | ||||||
| Venue | Yamatane Museum of Art https://www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/ | ||||||
| Location | 3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012 | ||||||
| Access | 10 minute walk from Ebisu Station on the Hibiya and JR line; From the West exit of JR Ebisu Station, take the bus and get off at Hiroo High School. The venue is 1 minute walk from there; From the East exit of JR Shibuta Station, take the bus and get off at Higashi 4-chome. The venue is 2 minute walk from there. | ||||||
| Phone | 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial) | ||||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
Back to Articles
SHARE