Thursday, October 26
1:00–3:00 p.m. PT
Speaker: Meher McArthur, Asian art historian
Virtual Event
Join us as Japanese art historian Meher McArthur discusses her upcoming exhibition Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper on view at the Mingei International Museum October 14, 2023–January 7, 2024. McArthur will present the works of nine Japanese artists featured in the exhibition: Hina Aoyama, Eriko Horiki, Kyoko Ibe, Yoshio Ikezaki, Kakuko Ishii, Yuko Kimura, Yuko Nishimura, Takaaki Tanaka, and Ayomi Yoshida. These artists have different approaches in the use of traditional Japanese handmade paper, or washi, as a medium for their works of contemporary art, from spectacular sculptures and installations to sublime wall pieces, screens, and installations.
Speaker Biography
Meher McArthur is an Asian art historian specializing in Japanese art, with degrees from Cambridge University and London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She was Curator of East Asian Art at Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, CA (1998-2006) and for over a decade has curated traveling exhibitions for International Arts & Artists (IA&A), most recently Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper (2021-2024). She was Creative Director for the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, Pasadena (2014-2020), Academic Curator for Scripps College, Claremont (2018-2020) and Art and Cultural Director for JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles (2020-2022). Her major publications include Gods and Goblins: Folk Paintings from Otsu (PAM, 1999), Reading Buddhist Art (Thames & Hudson, 2002), The Arts of Asia (Thames & Hudson, 2005), Confucius (Pegasus Books, 2011), Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (IA&A, 2012), New Expressions in Origami Art (Tuttle, 2017), Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper (IA&A, 2021) and An ABC of What Art Can Be (The Getty Museum, 2010).
Please note, this session will be conducted virtually via Zoom.
Save your spot by clicking on this link. All participants will be sent the Zoom link via confirmation email with instructions once you secure your place.
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Sponsored by the Asian Arts Council.
Featured at top right: Eriko Horiki, Washi Light Object TANE, 2017, Washi paper and resin mold, light fixture (steel), Image courtesy of the artist, © Eriko Horiki.