The
Dawn of Modern Japanese Design
From
June 22nd until August 26th, the Art Gallery of New South
Wales showcases timeless Japanese art through KamisakaSekka: the dawn of modern Japanese design. Through
thoughtful displays of the development of the Rinpa school of design, audiences
can follow the influences of traditional Japanese culture
as it mixes with contemporary themes and ideas. This compilation of lacquers,
ceramics, decorative art and textiles spanning from the early 17th
Century until the present, displays the Rinpa tradition of the ‘artist as
designer’. This tradition developed and expanded as Rinpa scholars traveled to
Europe, adopting ideas drawn from Art Nouveu and, in particular, the British
Arts and Crafts movement. With its focus on motifs and themes taken from
nature, Rinpa art is accessible to a broad audience regardless of age, gender
and cultural background. Few other artistic traditions established centuries
ago continue to captivate and engage viewers today on the same level as Rinpa.
Art by Kamisaka Sekka
Photo credits to Marsh Australia
