There is much deception uncovered in the Sackler's "Inventing Utamaro: A Japanese Masterpiece Rediscovered.” There is the question of whether the show's three central paintings are really by Kitagawa Utamaro, famous mostly for his ukiyo-e prints. For that matter, was Utamaro himself the 17th-century Don Juan of the pleasure quarters that his marketers made him out to be? And, … Continue reading Layers of invention
Category: Art
More about the Qin and the Han
Two shows could not be more complimentary in tone and emphasis than the Asian Art Museum's "Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries from China's Han Dynasty" and the Met's "Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties." I won't repeat what I said in WSJ reviews (here and here) but instead talk about a few … Continue reading More about the Qin and the Han
Peeking at Life through Death
Jade amulets, bronze vessels, dancing figures, accessories -- we've come to expect that from ancient tombs in China. But sex aides and toilets? That was a first for me, though I will admit not the most fascinating part of the Asian Art Museum's "Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries from China's Han Dynasty" (you can read my review … Continue reading Peeking at Life through Death
One of many treats of Asia week
Such a delight to see works by one of my favorite painters, An Ho, alongside a painting (on the right) by her teacher Pu Ru, one the last scholar artists of China. There is also a marvelous hanging scroll of a tiger that Pu Ru and An Ho painted together. China 2000 Fine Art is showing some of An Ho's … Continue reading One of many treats of Asia week
An otherworldly experience
Human figures amid swirling geometrics. Shields and spears and a looping tail whip. Crouched men and women staring into -- and from -- eternity. Colorful bursts of patterns conjuring at once life's unbridled power and our fear-based need to appease and control it. Empty masks and the steadying touch of a woman's hand on a man's shoulder. My mind was spinning at "East … Continue reading An otherworldly experience
Some 20 years ago when we visited a temple in South India, a brahmin led us into a small side shrine with a large statue of Shiva as Nataraja. The only light was the oil lamp he carried with a single flame. Anyone familiar with 'aarthi' will know what I mean. Basically, the priest draws circles … Continue reading
Peering inside Myanmar’s earliest stupas
This time-worn cover of a relic chamber is another mesmerizing work on display At the Met in "Lost Kingdoms." It was found inside a stupa at Sri Ksetra, a 1,500-year old site we visited in 2012. It is in ruinous state, so much so the World Monuments Fund added it to its endangered list. But it has … Continue reading Peering inside Myanmar’s earliest stupas
Take a beauty break
One very good answer to a difficult question
Curators of non-Western art struggle over whether to exhibit contemporary art in so-called regional galleries -- Chinese, South Asian, African -- or to showcase them in galleries devoted to Contemporary art. After all, today's art scene is global and, indeed, has been for a long time, ever since imperial powers taught European art history and techniques … Continue reading One very good answer to a difficult question
Steve Martin searches out the Group of Seven
Friends Cheryl and Matt in Toronto introduced us to the Group of Seven at the Art Gallery of Ontario — and what a treat to read about this forthcoming show and its unexpected curator.
