The Bridge: East Asian Brush Painting

The Bridge: East Asian Brush Painting
April 4 – July 15, 2012

American Bible Story
American Bible Story

Sumi-e, or ink and brush painting, is an East Asian artistic tradition that has been in practice for over a thousand years. “The Bridge” was an exhibit of Sumi-e brush paintings by members of the Minnesota Ming Chiao Chapter of the Sumi-e Society of America. Sumi-e originated in China and subsequently spread throughout Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Contemporary styles range from realistic to abstract. All Asian brush painters use similar tools and similar techniques. The tools are traditionally called “the Four Treasures” — brush, ink stick, ink stone and rice paper. Watercolors may also be employed. Sumi-e painters strive to capture the essence or spirit of their subject.

“The Bridge: East Asian Brush Painting” was part of the Harukaze Festival of Japanese Book and Paper Arts — a coordinated exhibition between Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM). The Harukaze (“spring wind”) Festival welcomed hundreds of visitors to a day-long community open house with hands-on artmaking activities for youth and adults; professional artist demonstrations of traditional Japanese art forms; and three terrific exhibitions of artwork that reflected the contemporary use and evolution of traditional Japanese artistic practices.