SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM
1400 E. Prospect Street, Volunteer Park
Seattle, Washington 98112-3303
tel: (206) 654-3100 (recorded information), 654-3255 (information desk), 654-3121 (Box Office)
e-mail: Webmaster@SeattleArtMuseum.org
internet: www.SeattleArtMuseum.org


 • Korean Screen Paintings and Buddhist Priest Portraits
Through August 22, 1999

 Continuing series of screen paintings and portraits of famous priests of the Choson period (1392-1910).


 • Individualistic Brushes: Chinese Painting and Calligraphy of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Through August 1999

 Two recent acquisitions are on display. The first is an album of ten leaves by Luo Ping and Xiang Jun, two artists of the famous Yangzhou School of the 18th century. The album is remarkable for its wide range of subject matter as well as the poetic quality of the scenes represented. Another newly acquired object is Shen Zhou's "Fishing at Evening on an Autumn River, After Wu Zhen." The image of a fisherman was a powerful symbol in traditional Chinese culture. It represents an idealized lifestyle free from the bustle and intrigues of the world and the reality of withdrawing into one's own mind. The bold and swift brush strokes and ink wash are highly personal, serving not only to form the terse and direct image perceived in the artist's mind but also to show the traces of his creation. Accompanying the painting is Shen's own colophon in his typical free and forceful style. Following the painting are 23 colophons by his friends and admirers, which provide a substantial sampling of Ming calligraphy.


 • Worlds of Fantasy - Chinese Shadow Puppets
April, 1999 - April 2, 2000

 Dramatic shadow puppets from SAAM's extensive collection are on view in the Chinese galleries. The exhibition includes mythical beasts from the Chinese cosmos, wild animals poised for action, and a rich array of human characters depicted in theatrical painted face and classical attire akin to that of Chinese opera. The exhibition showcases the distinct regional carving and decorative styles created to portray the heroes, demons and deities in Chinese folk legends and popular stories. Made from the treated hides of sheep, donkey, and ox, these puppets range in size from only a few inches to nearly two feet. Brightly painted and translucent when hit with light, they show every detail through the gauze stage screen, creating fantastic worlds of color-filled shadows. Popular legend has it that shadow puppetry began in China nearly 2000 years ago when the Han emperor Wudi first witnessed an enigmatic shadow show starring the image of his favorite concubine. Throughout the later imperial period, people from emperors in their palaces to villagers in rural China enjoyed the magical transformations brought forth by this special entertainment. Today only a few shadow masters remain to pass on the wonders, however. By exhibiting these marvelous puppets, we hope to help preserve the tradition and give you a glimpse of this wonderful but disappearing form of art.


• Modern Masters of Kyoto: Transformations of Japanese Painting Traditions
April 29, 1999 - February 13, 2000

 This exhibition will present more than 80 examples of Kyoto Nihonga in hanging scrolls and folding screens by over 40 artists from the Way Collection. The paintings, dating from the 1860s to the 1940s, demonstrate the transition and transformation that occurred in the Kyoto-school painting. This original exhibition and its accompanying catalogue will bring to light the extraordinary achievement of Kyoto artists and will contribute meaningful scholarly depth to our understanding of the Nihonga tradition.
See also: PAST CONFERENCES


• Explore Korea: A Visit to Grandfather's House
October 23, 1999 - October, 2000

 This exciting interactive exhibit, specially designed to acquaint children and their families with traditional and modern Korean society, previously appeared at the Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey (April 20, 1995 - January, 1997). It includes an historically accurate reconstruction of a traditional 1930s Korean home, including the kitchen, men's and women's quarters.


• The Embodied Image: Chinese Calligraphy from the John B. Elliott Collection
February 10 - May 7, 2000

 Details forthcoming in the January issue.


• Woven Symbols: Chinese Garments and Textiles
Through April 2, 2000

 Witty and fantastic images endowed with auspicious meanings are the focus of this exhibition of Chinese garments and textiles drawn from SAAM's impressive collection. Intricately woven and beautifully embroidered, the images range from the familiar five-clawed imperial dragon to the subtle representations of Taoist and Buddhist immortals. These sumptuous designs adorn garments of formal occasions and textiles for the interior of temples and homes. They express the social station and aspirations of their original owners. The omnipresence of these symbols, also seen in architecture, ceramics, and other fine arts, helped perpetuate longstanding beliefs in the cosmic world of deities and mythical creatures with power to protect or effect change.


 • Wonders of Clay and Fire: Chinese Ceramics through the Ages
Continuing indefinitely

 This comprehensive survey of Chinese ceramic history from the 6th millennium B.C. to the 15th century A.D. is represented by nearly 300 stunning examples from two major private collections. The collection of Jiurutang, Hall of Nine Fulfillments, is a first-rate assemblage of Chinese ceramics prior to the 15th century. The collection of Jinglexuan, Studio of Serene Pleasure, concentrates on objects from the 11th to the 15th century, when China became synonymous with porcelain.


 • Kiln Art for Palaces, Priests, and the Proletariat: Korean Ceramics of the Koryo and Choson Periods
Continuing indefinitely

 Ink paintings by three major Korean artists of the 19th century have been incorporated into the ongoing installation of selected works from the Museum's collection and from local private collections.











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