January 5, 2022 – Arts And so forth.
Design by Kanami Yamashita
Design by Kanami Yamashita
Traver Gallery has their “Gallery Artist Group Exhibition” on view January 13 – February 26, 2022. Ceramic artist Ling Chun has a show of new work on view March 3 – 26, 2022. This Hong Kong-born artist and a beauty school dropout does work that is playful and colorful with equal parts whimsy and a concern for the physicality of materials separating them their stereotypes and cultural references by questioning their authenticity. 110 Union #200 in downtown Seattle. 206-587-6501.
California-based artist Hiroshi Sato focuses in on a contemporary realist oil painting tradition with an interest in the geometric design principles of both the old masters and the new. A show of his recent work is on view January 20 – February 26, 2022. Harris/Harvey Gallery at 1915 First Ave. in downtown Seattle. 206-443-3315 or [email protected]
Local sculptor June Sekiguchi has closed 2021 with a flurry of activities including public art projects and future exhibitions. She completed a public art commission at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in her home state of Arkansas in Little Rock. Entitled “Tales of the Land: A Metaphorical Topography”, it follows the blue lit Arkansas River as it weaves its way across the land. Closer to the Northwest, she completed an installation entitled “Glacial Crystals” at Glacier Middle School in Buckley. Commissioned through the Washington State Arts Commission, the sculptures reference the glaciers on Mt. Tahoma and the molecular structure of ice as well as a compilation of Coast Salish vocabulary of shapes in honor of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Indian tribes native to the region. An installation currently on exhibit at Foss Waterway Seaport Museum on the Tacoma waterfront will be re-installed at the Vashon Center for the Arts in the Atrium from March 4 – 26, 2022. Sekiguchi is also working at a work –in- progress which is a collaboration with Jonathan Clarren at Tapestry through art consultant Bill Gaylord. The location is an outdoor café at the site of the Curtain Manufacturing Building at 12th & Yesler in Seattle. The design excavates the 4 cultures inhabiting the land from the Indigenous Duwamish, Jewish, Japanese, and African Americans in cultural sedimentary layers. Sekiguchi is represented locally by ArtXchange Gallery of Seattle
Western Washington University instructor and artist/poet Jane Wong makes her Canadian debut in an exhibition with artist duo Mizzonk in an exhibition entitled “NOURISH” which examines the themes of isolation, fear of food shortages, poverty and the importance of mental health. The Richmond Art Gallery (RAG) presents “NOURISH” on display from January 22 to April 3, 2022 by curator Nan Capogna. For her Canadian premiere, Wong presents “After Preparing the Altar, The Ghosts Feast Feverishly”, an installation that features an oversized, round dining table that holds bowls containing the fragments of a poem written by the artist. It pays homage to the artist’s experiences growing up in her family’s Chinese American restaurant in the 1980s and ‘90s and recalls her parent’s history of hunger during the Great Leap Forward in China. Mizzonk (Wan-Yi Lin and Roger Chen) present a new work “Six Acres” which refers to their new rural home. A projected animation produced from watercolor drawings on paper, the work was developed from the duo’s observations of living and working in a rural environment. After experiencing 9/11 from the roof top of their Brooklyn studio; they decided to move outside of an urban center in search of a restorative environment. Mizzonk will give two artist talks with curator Nan Capogna on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at 2pm (in English) and on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 (in Mandarin). Jane Wong leads an in person storytelling workshop for participants to share their own stories about food on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at 1pm. Limited capacity with registration required. “BC Family Day” takes place on Feb. 21, 2022 from 11am – 3pm features hands-on art activities and tours for all ages. Local artist Jeni Chen will lead activities to create artwork for a small hand-made book inspired by the exhibition. Part of the Richmond Children’s Arts Festival. More details at childrensartfestival.ca. And finally on March 12, 2022 at 1pm, Jane Wong leads a discussion with other “restaurant babies” (those who grew up in their family’s restaurant or store. Registration required with a hosted online Q&A. More information at richmondartgallery.org. For press kit and images, go to bit.ly/RAGnourish.
Minh Carrico is a local visual artist known primarily for working in photography, graphic design and public art. His new body of work is going online and explores live storytelling with photographs. It’s a four part series of autobiographical monologues that explore his Asian American experiences while living in Arkansas, Texas and New York Appearing on Zoom from 2 – 3pm (PST) on the third Sunday of the month. “Call Me buddy” is on Jan. 16, 2022 and “Kings to King” is on Feb. 20, 2022. Instagram link is @minhcarrico or try [email protected] for details.
The Whatcom Museum opens a couple exhibits related to portraits. At their Lightcatcher Building, the group show “Up Close & Personal: The Body in Contemporary Art” remains on view through February 27. 2022. Curated by Amy Chaloupka from the collection of Driek and Michael Zirinsky, this exhibit examines the human body through the expressive lens of 60 artists. Included in this show is work by Long-Bin Chen, Dinh Q. Le, Susie J. Lee, Hung Liu, Beth Lo, Roger Shimomura, Akio Takamori, Lena Takamori, Samatha Wall, Kumi Yamashita, Wanxin Zhang and many others. The Lightcatcher Building is at 250 Flora St. To complement the exhibition, the museum will also host a companion exhibit at Old City Hall entitled “Artists X Artists” which explores the intimate portraits of artists by artists. On view through April 10, 2022. That exhibit is drawn from the Museum’s permanent collection. Old City Hall is at 121 Prospect St. 360-778-8930 or try www.whatcommuseum.org.
“Citizen’s Indefinite Leave” is a new series of intricate paper cutaways by Lauren Iida incorporating historical scenes from the unjust incarceration of 126,000 people of Japanese ancestry in the USA during WWII. Iida was named Artist-in-Residence” with Densho, an organization dedicated to preserving the histories of Japanese Americans. The artworks in this show pay homage to the struggle of Iida’s grandparents and great grandparents and explores the trauma of this era and how it has influenced her own relationship with her Japanese American cultural heritage. On view January 6 – February 19, 2022. Events include the Pioneer Square Art Walk on Thursday January 6 from 5 – 8pm with the artist present. There will be another art walk again on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 5 – 8pm. And on Saturday, January 15 from 1 – 4pm, the artist will do a walk through of the exhibition for the public. This event is free but there is limited entry so visitors are asked to please RSVP ahead of time. “The Impermanence of Life” is a show by artist Prince Tiao Nithankhong Somsanith of Laos. He gathers fallen crumbling leaves on his walks and and meticulously transforms them using traditional Lao methods of gold and silver thread embroidery that then become jewel-like tiny sculptures that symbolize life and its fragility. On view now through January 29, 2022. Go to artxchangegallery.com for details. 512 1st Ave. S. 206-839-0377 or artxchange.org.
“Kenjiro Nomura, American Modernist: An Issei artist’s Journey” is on view at Cascadia Art Museum through February 20, 2022. It is the first exhibition for this Northwest artist in over sixty years. Nomura painted landscapes of Seattle neighborhoods, particularly downtown and the Chinatown/ID before the war and owned Noto Sign Company with another prominent artist Shokichi Tokita. After internment and the end of WWII, Nomura returned with a modern abstract style. He also holds the distinction of being the first artist to receive a solo show at Seattle Art Museum. This show will show the trajectory of his varied career. It is accompanied by a book by historian Barbara Johns. 190 Sunset Avenue South in Edmonds,Washington. 425-336-4809 or cascadiaartmuseum.org.
“Queer Visibility” is a show that is part of Henry Art Gallery’s “Viewpoints” series. This one is curated by Nina Bozicnik and Kira Sue. It includes work by Berlin-based artist Dean Sameshima and Seattle-based Anthony White. Sameshima makes connect-the-dots drawings based on old gay leather magazine photos and White has work with dancing figures, equating the male nude with ubiquitous consumer products. On view through January, 2022. Also “Diana Al-Hadid: Archive of Longings” which presents works that explore the interplay between the female body and European Art and Syrian Muslim Immigrant Histories. On view through Feb. 6, 2022. On the UW Seattle campus at 15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St. 206-543-2280 or go to henryart.org.
Davidson Galleries has the following – “Unique Impressions – International Monoprint and Monotype Invitational 2022” is on view from January 7 – February 26, 2022. It includes work by Taiko Chandler and Keiko Hara among many others. “Tiny Prints, Magnified Impressions”, a group show on view until January 29, 2022. Some artists included in this group show include Eunice Kim, Kuni Obata, Haru Maki, Seiichi Hiroshima and Shigeki Tomura. 313 Occidental Ave. S. in Seattle. 206-624-7684 or go to davidsongalleries.com.
Seattle Art Museum’s downtown location has the following. “”Folding Into Shape – Japanese Design and Crafts” is on view through September 25, 2022. Creating three-dimensional objects by folding, layering and weaving two dimensional materials is a core concept in Japanese design and crafts. Ranging from textiles and paintings to ceramics and bamboo baskets, this exhibit serves up various examples from the permanent collection and private holdings. Also on view is “Pure Amusements: Wealth, Leisure, And Culture in Late Imperial China.” Another ongoing show is “Northwest Modernism: Four Japanese Americans” which takes a look at the work of Kenjiro Nomura, Kamekichi Tokita, Paul Horiuchi and George Tsutakawa. Seattle Asian Art Museum has the following. The Saturday University lecture series continues with the following – Archaeologist Peter Lape discusses what we can learn from the tiny tropical islands at the epicenter of the spice trade in a talk entitled “Archaeology of the Spice Trade” on Sat., January 8 at 10 am . Author Yuriko Kuchiki gives a talk entitled “Building Global Markets For Asian Art” in which she discusses the rise and fall of Yamanaka & Company, once one of the most successful Asian art dealers in the West. Yamanaka’s assets were confiscated by the US government and sold off at the start of WWII. On Saturday, February 12 at 10am at SAAM. On Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10am at SAAM, catch Dr. Natasha Reichle, Associate Curator of Southeast Asian Art at Asian Art Museum, San Francisco with a talk entitled “Lost At Sea” as she addresses the topic of what art can be salvaged from the sea tell us about the trade and colonial enterprise and who is entitled to centuries-old artworks recovered from shipwrecks? All talks in-person or online. SAM recently created a new position for a South Asian art curator and the first show on that theme opens on January 14, 2022 and it is entitled “Embodied: South Asian Art Across Time.” “Boundless: Stories of Asian Art” is an ongoing group show re-imagining of items from the museum’s permanent collection of Asian art. “Be/longing: Contemporary Asian Art” is an ongoing show that showcases current trends in contemporary Asian art. In the Fuller Garden Court you will find Kenzan Tsutakawa Chinn’s permanent installation “Gather.” Tsutakawa Chinn is a Seattle-raised, New York-based LED light installation artist. Tour Seattle Art Museum’s Japanese art collection with curator Xiaojin Wu as she talks about significant pieces in the collection. This appeared in SAM News Nov. 1, 2021 issue WW1.seattleartmuseumorg. Go to seattleartmuseum.org for details on all this. The Museum’s new Saturday University Series is curated under the theme of “Encountering Asia: Plunderers and Collectors.” Presented with the UW’s Jackson School of International Studies and the Elliott Bay Book Company. For more information, try https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/calendar/events?eventid=79691 and for Zoom registration, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YdqRTc64QleaSDWgCt1QRA. Try [email protected] for more details. There is a video on artist Zhang Huan’s piece “Family Tree” on view at SAAM in the “Be/longing: Contemporary Asian Art” show. To view it, go to samblog.seattleartmuseum.org. Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park reopens on May 28, 2021. Tickets released every Thursday at 10am. Tickets must be obtained in advance. Capacity is limited.
The Wing Luke Asian Museum reopens on March 5, 2021. Hours are Fridays through Sundays from 10am – 5pm. Reserving tickets online prior to visit is highly encouraged as it is operating at limited capacity. Current exhibits include the following –. Current exhibit is “Gerard Tsutakawa: Stories Shaped in Bronze” which explores the inspiration, design, and the fabrication process of public sculptures by Gerard Tsutakawa as well as their effect on Seattle physically, socially and culturally. There are many virtual programs now as well. On view through April 17, 2022. Ongoing exhibits include the following – “Community Spread: How We Faced a Pandemic”, “Woven Together: Stories of Burma/Myanmar”, “Where Beauty Lies” looks at how Asian Americans look at themselves and measure beauty,“A Dragon Lies Here” is the latest phase of the Bruce Lee exhibit, “The Heart of Our Journey” is a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Asian Pacific American experience, “I Am Filipino” looks at the story of Filipino Americans”, “Hometown Desi” covers the local South Asian experience and “Cambodian Cultural Museum and Killing Fields Memorial” looks at the Cambodian America experience and the impact of the Killing fields on that country’s history. There are virtual tours of the museum on weekday mornings. Pre-booking available for private groups. Contact the museum to sign up. Live virtual tours of the Freeman Hotel on Thursdays at 5pm PDT. Check out what’s in the gift shop with the Museum’s online marketplace. The monthly storytime programs can be watched at www.digitalwingluke.org/programs.
KOBO, a unique shop of arts and crafts from Japan and items made by Northwest artists has two shops in Seattle on Capitol Hill and in the Chinatown/ID/Japantown community downtown. Masks are required and you must use the provided hand sanitizer upon entering. 30 minute shopping sessions by appointment only at the KOBO on Capitol Hill will soon be made available through an online booking system. Time slots will be limited to keep everyone safe, plus more protective protocols in place to meet safety guidelines. Shipping and curbside pickup is still available by scheduling a Pickup Time at Checkout. They have a new instagram shopping account @koboseattleshop or try their website at koboseattle.com. Current gallery exhibit features the work of sisters Lisa Asagi and Jesianne Asagi. Lisa creates whale sculpture in porcelain and black stoneware. Jesianne creates work that explores language, symbolism and nostalgia using found objects and ephemera. KOBO at Higo hours are Wed. – Sat. from 11am – 5pm. The Capitol Hill store is at 814 E. Roy St. and their hours are Tues. – Sat. from 11am to 5pm. KOBO at Higo is at 604 South Jackson St. in the CID.
“Paper Dialogues: The Dragon and Our Stories” pairs the work of two papercut artists from two different cultures and the symbolism of the dragon in each. Danish papercutting artist Bit Vejle and Professor Xiaoguang Qiao of Beijing’s Central Academy of Fine Arts have their work shown together with the common motif of the dragon. This exhibition also includes the work of Layla May Arthur and Emma Reid. On view through January 31, 2022. Free for members and $5 for the general public. National Nordic Museum in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood at 2655 NW Market St. Go to nordicmuseum.org for details.
Bellevue Arts Museum has an ongoing collaborative exhibition of innovative glass works by Terri Grant & Purnima Patel entitled “Trace”. Also on view until April 24, 2022 is “BAM Biennial – 2021 Architecture and Urban Design”, a group show which has work by Satpreet Kahlon, Jonathan Teng, Nina Vichayapal and many others. 510 Bellevue Way NE in Bellevue, WA. 425-519-0770 or try bellevuearts.org.
The Pacific Bonsai Museum has the following – “Works In Our Permanent Collection” includes 50 works of bonsai artistry selected from our permanent collection for seasonal display with some autumnal beauties. “Stone Images XI” is on view through January 9, 2022. Use your imagination to see mountains, trees, figures, animals and even deep space when you view 30 stones from six states selected by the Northwest Viewing Stone Club of Puget Sound Association. 2515 South 336th St. in Federal Way, WA. Admission is by donation. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm. 253-353-7345 or email [email protected].
Tacoma Art Museum re-opens April 10th, 2021. “Painting Deconstructed: Selections from the Northwest Collection” includes work by Ed Aulerich-Sugai, Tram Bui, Donnabelle Casis, Paul Horiuchi, Fumiko Kimura, Roy Kiyooka, John Matsudaira, Mark Takamichi Miller, Kenjiro Nomura, Frank Okada, Joseph Park, Roger Shimomura, Maki Tamura, Kamekichi Tokita, George Tsutakawa, Thuy-Van Vu and many others. On view for an extended time. 1701 Pacific Avenue. 253-272-4258 or go to [email protected].
The Outdoor Sculpture Collection on the campus of Western Washington University in Bellingham is open and accessible to everyone. This is an outdoor collection of major sculptures from the late 20th century to the present and includes work by Do Ho Suh, Sarah Sze and Isamu Noguchi among others. Get a map from the information booth and explore the campus collection for yourself. Call 360-650-3900.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at WSU is a new art space for Eastern Washington. Inaugural shows include the following – “”Mirror, Mirror: The Prints of Alison Saar” on view until March 12, 2022. Also ongoing are “Art & Healing” virtual exhibitions. The museum plans a retrospective exhibition for Eastern Washington artist Keiko Hara for 2022. “Keiko Hara: The Poetics of Space, Four Decades of Paintings” is set for May 2022 – December 2022. There are a number of activities in which the staff will give tours of the new space. If you are interested, try https:/museum.wsu.edu/about/meet-the-staff. 1535 Wilson Road on the Washington State University campus in Pullman. 509-335-1910 or try [email protected].
Eri Ishii has a show of oil paintings entitled “Vancouver Gardens” on view through January 29, 2022. Iantan gallery at 2342 Granville St. in Vancouver BC, Canada. 604-738-1077 or go to iantangallerycom.
The Museum of Vancouver has “A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia” which highlights the importance of food and restaurant culture in the Chinese-Canadian immigrant experience. Situated in Vanier Park at 1100 Chestnut St. in Vancouver, BC, Canada. 604-736-4431 or try museumofvancouver.ca.
The Chinese Cultural Centre Museum at 555 Columbia St. in Vancouver B.C. has an ongoing exhibit entitled “Generation to Generation – History of Chinese Canadians in British Columbia”. 604-658-8880 or go to cccvan.com.
Vancouver Art Gallery has “GROWING FREEDOM: The instructions of Yoko Ono/ The art of John and Yoko” which opens October 9, 2021. 750 Hornby St. in Vancouver BC, Canada. Go to https://ww.vanartgallery.bc.ca/.
Gallery Jones in Vancouver BC has a show entitled “Reluctant Offerings” by Brendan Tang opening on January 22, 2022. In this solo exhibition, Tang expands on earlier projects using joss paper. 1-258 East 1st Ave. 604-714-2216 or go to galleryjones.com.
“Broken Promises” is a 7 year multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, community engaged project that explores the dispossession of Japanese Canadians in the 1940s. It illuminates the loss of home and the struggle for justice of one racially marginalized community. Opening June 27, 2021 is a group show entitled “Iron Willed: Women in STEM” which features inspirational women such as Irene Uchida, Donna Stricklan and Jocelyn Bell Burnell and their important contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This exhibit addresses the many structural and cultural barriers that contribute to gender biases and underrepresentation of women in these fields. Also on view is an ongoing exhibit on “TAIKEN: Japanese Canadians Since 1877”. Opening on October 23, 2021 is “SAFE/Home” is a collaboration between Kellen Hatanaka and Alexa Hatanaka. Through the lens of the historic Vancouver Asahi baseball team, these artists explore issues of race, xenophobia, representation and implicit bias that are relevant in both sport and society today. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby at 6688 Southoaks Crescent. 604-777-7000 or try nikkeiplace.org.
The Art Gallery at Evergreen in Coquitlam, Canada has a show entitled “Forged” through January 30, 2022. It is an exhibition of photography, painting and sculpture by Vancouver-based Chinese Canadian artist Evan Lee. 1205 Pinetree Way. 604-927-6557 or go to evergreenculturalcentre.ca/exhibit.
Canadian artist Matthew Wong lived with autism spectrum disorder and as a teenager, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome as well. He struggled with depression his whole life, dying by suicide in 2019. Yet this Toronto-born artist who studied anthropology, specialized in photography and wrote poetry eventually found his calling in painting beginning in 2013. Largely self-taught, he created more than 1,000 works in a span of a few years. Now “Blue View”, an exhibit of more than 40 of his works painted between 2017 – 2019 are on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Canada. 317 Dundas St. W. On view through April 18, 2022. 416-979-6648 or try ago.ca.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene has the following – “Korean Ceramic Culture: Legacy of Earth & Fire” on view through May 8, 2022. “Fit to Print: The Dawn of Journalism – Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Lavenberg & Michels Collection” opens July 31, 2021. “Myriad Treasures – Celebrating the Reinstallation of the Soreng Gallery of Chinese Art” on view through June 30, 2022. Upcoming exhibition on the work of the late Bay Area artist Hung Liu entitled “Remember This: Hung Liu at Trillium” is on view from February 6 – August 28, 2022. The renowned California artist explores portraits, landscapes and still-lifes that reflect upon history, memory, tradition, migration and social justice. 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene, Oregon. 541-346-3027.
Blackfish Gallery in Portland is unique in that it is a member-driven collective. A “New Member” group show of 5 new artists set from January 4 – 29, 2022 includes the work of Sung Park. Reception on January 6 from 6 – 9pm and an artist talk on the same day at 5:30pm. 420 NW 9th Ave. Portland, Oregon. 503-224-2634 or go to blackfish.com.
Portland Japanese Garden’s new show “Ukiyo-e to Shin Hanga – Changing Tastes in Japanese Woodblock Prints” from the collection of Irvin Lavenberg. This show illuminates the dramatic social, political and economical shifts in Japanese culture between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries by taking a look at the work of Toyohara Kunichika and Kawase Hasui. Through January 20, 2022. 611 SW Kingston Ave. 503-223-1321.
Japanese American Museum of Oregon is now open in a new space. Current exhibits include the following – “Oregon’s Nikkei: An American Story of Resilence” and “Grace, Grit and Gaman: Japanese American Women Through The Generations” curated by Marsha Matthews and Linda Tamura on view through March 13, 2022. Upcoming shows include the following – “Na Omi Shintani: Dream Refuge for Children Imprisoned”. This Bay Area artist builds a refuge for imprisoned children, whether they be Japanese Americans in WWII concentration camps, American Indian boarding school children or Central American children imprisoned and separated from their families. This show will be on view from April – September of 2022. “Resilence – A Sansei Sense of Legacy” is a group show of eight artists whose work reflects upon the effect of Executive Order 9066 and how it resonated from generation to generation. This group show will be on view from October 1 – December 22, 2022. Artists include Kristine Aono, Reiki Fuji, Wendy Maruyama, Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, Tom Nakashima, Roger Shimomura, Judy Shintani and Jerry Takigawa. The show was co-curated by Jerry Takigawa and Gail Enns. Several online exhibits on the history of Japanese Americans in Oregon can also be viewed. 411 NW Flanders. 503-224-1458 or email [email protected].
Portland Chinatown Museum has the following – Their permanent exhibit is “Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s Historic Chinatowns.” On view through February 6, 2022 is Seattle photojournalist Dean Wong’s photo essay on “The Future of Chinatowns.” It will look at the gentrification and displacement going on in four West Coast Chinatowns. A series of virtual and live events and public programs are planned around this exhibit. Coming up is “Carey Wong: The World Transformed” set for February 12 – June 15, 2022. This is an exhibit of 16 scenic designs and set models spanning the career of theatrical designer Carey Wong. Wong is a native Portlander and the exhibition designer for the museum’s “Beyond The Gate” permanent exhibit. Portland installation artist Roberta Wong has a window installation in memory of Vincent Chin, the Chinese American man killed by two Detroit workers entitled “Vincent”. Portland Chinatown Museum is located at 127 N.W. Third Ave. 503-224-0008 or email [email protected].
“Shadows From the Past – Sansei Artists And The American Concentration Camps” is a virtual group exhibition presented by Celadon Arts and San Joaquin Delta College and curated by Gail Enns. Artists in the exhibition include Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, Reiko Fujii, Lucien Kubo, Wendy Maruyama, Tom Nakashima, No Omi Judy Shintani, Masako Takasashi and Jerry Takigawa. The next physical venue for this touring exhibit will be at the Monterey Museum of Art through January 9, 2022. 559 Pacific St. 831-372-5477 or montereyart.org.
The Asian Art Museum, San Francisco has the following currently on view. “Team Lab: Sketch Ocean.” “Zheng Chongbin: I Look For The Sky.” “After Hope: Vidoes of Resistance.” “Afruz Amighi: My House, My Tomb.” Site-specific installations – “Momento: Jayashree Chakravarty and Lam Tung Pang.” Outside murals by Channel Miller and Jennifer K.Wofford are visible from Hyde St. Opening December 17, 2021 is “Weaving Stories – Indonesia, The Philippines and Malaysia”. “Seeing Gender” opens January 21, 2022. And coming in the Summer of 2022 is the first major museum retrospective for Bay Area iconic performance artist and visual artist Carlos Villa, a longtime noted instructor at San Francisco Art Institute. The show is entitled “Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collusion”. 200 Larkin St. San Francisco, CA. 415-581-3500.
The Berkeley Art Museum/PFA has the following. “Beyond Boundaries: Buddhist Art of Gandhara” on view through March 13, 2022. “Spiritual Mountains: The Art of Wesley Tongson” features eleven paintings by this late Hong Kong artist whose work draws from traditional Chinese paintings and techniques and processes. Shown with historic Chinese brush paintings from the museum’s own collection. On view January 12 – June 14, 2022. 155 Center St. Berkeley, CA 510-642-0808 or go to [email protected].
The San Jose Museum of Art has the following. “Karma” is a 23 foot high sculpture by Do Ho Suh on view through Jan. 30, 2022. Coming later this summer is a massive installation entitled “Factory of the Sun” by European artist Hito Steyerl which opens August 6, 2021. 110 South Market St. in San Jose, CA. 408-271-6840.
“Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy” will celebrate the designs of Guo Pei hailed as China’s first couturier and includes more than 80 works from the past two decades highlighting her most important collections shown on Beijing and Paris runways. The exhibition will be on view through September 5, 2022 at The Palace of Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The show was organized by Jill D’Alessandro, curator in charge of costume and textile arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. 100 – 34th Ave. 415-750-3600 or try https://legionofhonor.famsf.org.
“Hiyao Miyazaki” is a look into the animation creations of this master filmmaker. This exhibition continues on view at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures through June 5, 2022. 6067 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) has the following – Ongoing is “Common Ground – The Heart of Community” which features a WWII Japanese internment camp building. Just opened is “Mine Okubo’s Masterpiece – The Art of Citizen 13660”, an exhibition that exhibits all the drawings from the seminal book on camp life by one of its inhabitants, artist Mine Okubo. Besides the drawings from the book, the exhibit also includes the rough sketches and ideas behind the book and a series of colorful figurative works she did in the late post WWII era of her career. Before the artist died, she bequeathed the museum a sizeable chunk of her artistic archive. On view through February 20, 2022. “A Life in Pieces – The Diary And Letters of Stanley Hayami” on view now through Jan. 9, 2022. This L.A. native’s journal writing and wartime letters from Heart Mountain concentration camp and the war in Europe brought to life with a 3d virtual experience accessed via smart phone. His artwork, journal entries and letters will also be on display. Hayami died in combat at the age of 19 in Italy. His brief legacy lives on in this exhibit created by Nonny de la Pena of Emblematic and Sharon Yamato in collaboration with JANM. 101 N. Central Ave. in Los Angeles, CA. 213-625-0414.
“Memory, Structure, Scaffold Series” is an installation that looks at the hidden contributions of labor. On view through March 20, 2022. Wede Museum at 10808 Culver Boulevard in Culver, City, California. 310-216-1600 or go to wendemuseum.org.
The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA has the following – “Crossroads – Exploring the Silk Road” opens October 22, 2021. This new permanent exhibit tells the story of centuries of cultural exchange stimulated by the movement of travelers and goods along the ancient trade route. In the fall of 2021, a group show entitled “Intervention: Perspectives For a New PAM” will be shown. “Global Asia’s: Contemporary Asian And Asian American Art from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer & the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation” comes to the museum from March – June, 2023. 2680 N. Los Robles Ave. in Pasadena, CA. 626-787-2680 or [email protected].
“No Humans Involved” examines the categories we use to decide who does or doesn’t get humane treatment. This group show includes Wangshui’s mixed media installations and video works that highlight queer sensibilities in Chinese spiritualities and architecture. “Witch Hunt” is a group show of contemporary feminism and includes the work of Shu Lea Cheng. Both shows on view from through January 9, 2022. The Hammer Museum at UCLA. Go to hammer.ucla.edu. 10899 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. The show “Witch Hunt” is split in two parts and one part will be on view at The Institute of Contemporary Art on 1717 E. 7th St. 213-928-0833. theIcala.org.
“Pachappa Camp: The First Koreatown in America” is on view through January 9, 2022. The history of this early 20th century community of Korean American agricultural workers is recalled in photographs, maps, documents and ephemera. At UCR Arts at 3824-34 Main St. in Riverside, California. Go to [email protected] for details. to httpas://tinyurl.com/ImaSplendorFnC.
The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. will present the first major large-scale retrospective of work by Hung Liu, the internationally acclaimed Chinese-born American artist. “Hung Liu: Portraits of Promised Lands, 1968-2020” will feature more than 50 artworks spanning Liu’s time in Maoist China in the 1960s, her immigration to California in the 1980s, and the height of her career today. This is the first time the museum will celebrate an Asian American woman with a solo exhibition. On view through January 9, 2022.
The National Museum of Asian Art/Sackler Gallery on the Smithsonian Mall in Washington D.C .has the following – “Encountering the Buddha: Art & Practice Across Asia” on view through Jan. 17. 2022. Upcoming is an anticipated show of brush paintings by early 20th century Japanese artist Tomioka Tessai. “Prehistoric Spirals: Earthenware From Thailand” showcases work from NE Thailand from over 2000 years ago. Opens on November 1, 2021. 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Washington, D.C.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has the following – “Weng Family Collection of Chinese Painting: Travel & Home” on view through March 6, 2022. “Tattoos in Japanese Prints” on view through February 20, 2022. “Conservation in Action: Japanese Buddhist Sculpture in a New Light” on view through July 3, 2022. 465 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA. 617-267-9300 or go to mfa.org.
Candace Lin has an exhibit of her installations coming to the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts. February 4 – April 10, 2022. 617 Quincy St. in Cambridge, Mass. On the campus of Harvard University. 617-496-5387 or try https://carpenter.center.
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA has the following ongoing exhibits – “South Asian Art”, “Double Happiness Celebration in Chinese Art”, “Japanese Art”, “Japanomania! Japanese Art Goes Global” and finally “Anila Quayyum Agha: All the Flowers Are For Me”. This Pakistani American artist creates precise, stylized floral forms to make a sculptural chamber of light and shadow. Her effort creates a sense of how women can reclaim and safely open up private space to invite others. 161 Essex St. in Salem, MA 816-745-4876 or go to pem.org.
On The Basis of Art: 150 Years of Women at Yale” celebrates the work of women artists who attended that institution. Includes work by Maya Lin, Rina Banerjee, An-My Le and many others. On view through January 9, 2022 at the Yale University Art Gallery. 1111 Chapel St. in New Haven, CT. 203-432-0600 or go to [email protected]
The Minneapolis Institute of Art has the following – “Kamada Shoji: The Art of Change” highlights the work of one of Japan’s most celebrated potters. This first exhibition of his work outside Japan features nearly 50 works from 10 private collections. On view through April 17, 2022. “20 Dances: Japanese Calligraphy Then And Now” through April 10, 2022. “Amano Kazumi: Prints from the Kimm-Gruffernan Collection is on view through May 29, 2022. This Japanese printmaker was a disciple of the noted folk-art inspired Shiko Munakata but changed his style to favor abstract shapes and bright colors later in his career. “Shimmering Surfaces: Chinese Lacquer Motifs And Techniques” on view through April 10, 2022. “Dayanita Singh’s Pothl Khana: Archive Room” shows the photographer challenging the limitations of her media by placing images of cloth-wrapped papers into modular teakwood structures revealing India’s vast bureaucratic archives. On view through April 10, 2022. 2400 Third Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 888-642-2787.
The Walker Art Center has the following – A sound & video installation by Twin-Cities-based artist Shen Xin through July 2, 2022. “Paul Chan: Breathers” on view from July 27, 2022 – April 22, 2023. And a Pacita Abid retrospective planned for sometime in 2023. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN. 612-375-7600 or try [email protected].
The Art Institute of Chicago has the following – “Onchi Koshiro: Affection for Shapeless Things” remains on view through January 10, 2022. Onchi Koshiro was a major figure of the “Sosaku Hanga” movement in Japan. It was a group whose members conceived, carved and printed their own works, jettisoning the old system of division of labor. His favored mode was working with abstraction. He produced very few prints, often a single edition of each work. “Senju’s Waterfalls for Chicago” remains on view through March 13, 2022. These screen paintings of falling water were created specifically for Gallery 109, the space designed by architect Ando Tadao. Senju tailored the scale and lighting to best suit the distinctive space. The lighting in the gallery is designed to highlight the nature of the falling water in the painting in light and darkness. 111 South Michigan Ave./159 E. Monroe. Chicago, ILL. 312-443-3600.
The Cleveland Art Museum has the following on view – “Migrations of Memory – The Poetry and Power of Music” is an installation by Peng Wei in collaboration with the museum. The piece is surrounded by classical Chinese paintings and instruments from the museum’s collection and addresses the vital role of music and the arts during the Covid 19 pandemic. On view through May 8, 2022. “Popular Art from Early Modern Korea” looks at how that country has challenged the concept of high and low brow art especially in the late 1800s and early 1900s. On view through April 17, 2022. “Stories in Japanese Art” explores Japanese narrative art with diverse examples from the 1300s to the 1900s. On view through April 3,2022. “Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings” remains on view through February 6, 2022. “Art of the Islamic World” comes from a period of great cultural and geographic expansion with works from Spain, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, on view through May 31, 2022. Opening February 11, 2022 is “Martial Art of India” on view through August 8, 2022. 11150 East Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio. 261 – 421- 7350 or go to https://www.clevelandart.org.
HK Art and Antiques LLC has a show entitled “Dreams of Nature” which showcases the work of painter Wansook Kim and ceramic artist Geejo Lee. On view through January 31, 2022. 49 E. 78th St., Suite 4B. New York City, New York. 646-559-0231 or [email protected]
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has the following – “Japan: A History of Style” through April 24, 2022. Roger Shimomura has work in this exhibition. “Celebrating the Year of the Ox” through Jan. 12, 2022. “Masters and Masterpieces: Chinese Art from the Irving Collection” through June 5, 2022. “Companions in Solitude- Reclusion and Communion in Chinese Art” through August 14, 2022. 1000 Fifth Ave. 212-535-7710. Go to https://www.metmuseum.org.
“Prewar Japanese American Pictorialism” is an online only exhibition of work by West Coast pictorialists that were lost during the onslaught of WWII and the internment of Japanese Americans. Includes work by photographers from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle such as Kango Takamura, Riso Itano, Isamu Yasuda, Junezu Ota, Taizo Kato, Kusutora Matsuki, Harry K. Shigeta and Taizo Kato. Presented by Laurence Miller Gallery and on view through Jan. 22, 2022. 917-930-9176 or try [email protected]
The Korea Society features a group show entitled “Interlacement”. The exhibition challenges the conventional idea of fiber and textile art by employing already established techniques of weaving, embroidery and assemblage with new materials and forms. On view through January 28, 2022. An online exhibition “The Feeling of Han: Marie Ann Yoo” is on view through December 16, 2021.The photos by this Korean American photographer depict South Korea, its people and culture during a period of transition after the war in the year 1956. 350 Madison, 24th floor in New York City. 212-759-7525 or go to koreasociety.org.
Asia Society Museum has the following – “Rebel Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians” on view through Jan. 16, 2022. 725 Park Ave. in New York City.212-327-9721 or try www.asiasociety.org.
“Skin-Screen-Grass” is the title of a show by Tishan Hsu. This pioneering artist of digital technology exhibits works based in photographic imagery but tweaked or transformed into sculptures, wall reliefs and wallpaper. At Miguel Abreu Gallery on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, New York City. 86 Eldridge St. 212-995-1774 or go to miguelabreugallery.com. On view through January 15, 2022.
“8 Americans” is a group show with an intergenerational group of Asian American artists featuring the work of Byron Kim, Jean Shin, Antonia Kuo, Timothy Lai, Jennie Jieun Lee, Tishan Hsu, Kang Seung Lee and Hyegyeong Choi. On view through January 22 at Chart Gallery at 74 Franklin St. in Manhattan. 646-799-9319 or try chart-gallery.com.
Ippodo Gallery has the following – “Synthesis II”, “Adore” Madonna and Fusuma Photography by Kenji Wakasugi through January 7, 2022. “Layers of Time”, spatial ceramic works by Yukiya Izumita. On view January 13 – February 17, 2022. 32 E. 67th St., 3rd Floor. New York City. +1-(212) 967-4899 or [email protected]
The Rubin Museum of Art announces the 2022 exhibition “Healing Practices: Stories From Himalayan Americans” which highlights the diverse ways that Tibetan Buddhist artworks and practices have served as roadmaps to well-being. The exhibition juxtaposes objects from the museum’s collection with stories from Himalayan Americans, revealing the many ways these living traditions are transformed and adopted for today’s world. On view from March 18, -January 16, 2023. This exhibition was developed in collaboration with a Himalayan American and Asian American Community Advisory Group which includes New York tristate area and DC artists, medical professionals, spiritual leaders, activists, educators and art therapists interested in the intersection between art, healing, and activism. A new podcast premieres on June 8, 2021 entitled “Awaken” hosted by musician/composer Laurie Anderson. It features stories of transformation by Aparna Nancheria, Alok Vaid-Menon, Tara Branch and more. Get the podcast on RubinMuseum.org/awakenPOD and other major podcast platforms. Mandala Lab” is the Museum’s new interactive space for social, emotional and ethical healing. Designed by Peterson Rich Office, it invites visitors to participate in five unique experiences inspired by a Tibetan Buddhist mandala. Through October 1, 2031. “Gateway to Himalayan Art” remains on view through June 5, 2023. “Journey Through Himalayan Art” remains on view through January 8, 2024.”150 West 17th St. in New York City. 212-620-5000 or go to rubinmuseum.org.
The New Museum’s fifth edition of their Triennial entitled “Soft Water Hard Stone” is a survey of artists reimaging traditional models, materials, and techniques beyond established methods. Includes work by Jes Fan, Kaurie Kang, Kang Seung Lee, Yu Ji, Thao Nguyen Phao, Amy Lien/Enzo Camacho and many others. 235 Bowery in New York City. Through January 23, 2022. 212-219-1222. Go to http://www.newmuseum.org.
The Noguchi Museum has the following – “Noguchi’s Useless Architecture” is a show inspired by his visits to Indian astronomical devices. On view through May 8, 2022. “Objects of Common Interest: Hard, Soft, And All Lit Up With Nowhere To Go” is a collaboration with Eleni Petaloti & Leonidas Trampoukis of Greece with New York-based studio, Objects of Common Interest on view through February 13, 2022. There are also various video programs that deal with Noguchi’s history and life that you can view. 9-01,33rd Rd. Long Island, New York. 718-204-7088.
The Japan Society has the following – “Shiko Munakata: A Way of Seeing”. This is a rarely seen collection of this pioneering woodblock printer who was part of the Japanese folk art “Mingei” movement. It includes visionary artworks including 61 prints on view for the first time since 1965. His works feature scenes from Buddhism, Japanese poetry and the spirit of the deep north where he came from. Through March 20, 2022. 333 East 47th St. New York, New York. 212-263-1258.
The Chinese American Museum has opened in Washington DC. It’s the only museum in the nation’s capitol dedicated to the Chinese American story – its history, culture and voice. Currently closed because of COVID. 1218 – 16th St. NW. 202-838-3180 or chineseamericanmuseum.org.
“The New Woman Behind The Camera” is a group show that features over 100 international photographers in the early 20th century. Includes a lot of women photographers from Asia. Through January 30, 2022. National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Sixth St. & Constitution NW.
Art Museum of the Americas presents “The Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America and the Caribbean 1945 – Present” now on view indefinitely. Some of the artists represented include Carlos Runcie Tanaka, Bernadette Persaud, Wilfredo Lam and Sri Irodik Romo. With featured videos by Yukata Toyota and Laura Fong Prosper. Curated by Adriana Ospina. 201 – 18th St. NW in Washington, D.C. For details, go to [email protected] or museum.oas.org.
“Mind Over Matter: Zen in Medieval Japan – Calligraphic Paintings from the Museum’s Collection” on view February 26 – July 24, 2022. Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. Jefferson Drive at 12th St. SW. Try asia.si.edu for details.
“Weaving Splendor: Treasures of Asian Textiles” showcases rarely seen Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Persian costumes and textiles from the museum’s collection. On view through March 6, 2022. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. 4525 Oak St. in Kansas City, MO. 816-751-1278 or try [email protected]
The New Orleans Museum of Art has the following – “The Pursuit of Salvation: Jain Art from India” through May 15, 2022. The Jain faith of India is older than Buddhism yet is little known outside of India. This exhibit presents sculpture, ink and watercolor drawings and manuscripts that open a window to this fascinating religion. “Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon: Masterworks From The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection at Asia Society” on view through May 31, 2022. One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. 504-658-4100.
The British Museum has an exhibition entitled “The Great Picture Book of Everything: Hokusai”. This show consists of drawings done for an encyclopedia that was never published. This box of art work by the great Japanese woodblock print genius is on view through January 30, 2022 and is part of the Museum’s permanent collection. Curated by Timothy Clark. The Museum is on Great Russell St. in London. +44 (0) 20 7323 8000 or try [email protected].
The Tate Modern has the following on view – New York-based installation artist Annika Yi has an installation of giant airborne creatures in the Turbine Hall and an aroma that will change week to week. On view through January 16, 2022. Also on view, is a show entitled “Carving & Printing” by Singapore-born, London-based artist Kim Lim who displays both his sculpture and prints and the viewer can see how they are interrelated. The Traveling exhibition entitled “Surrealism Beyond Borders” will be on view February 24 – August 29, 2022 at the Tate Modern and will feature work by Japanese artist Koga Harue. The Tate St. Ives branch museum will also give Thao Nguyen Pham her first UK museum exhibition in February of 2022 on view until May 2, 2022. It will include video, paintings, and mixed media works. Go to tate.org.uk for details on all these.
“Noguchi” is an exhibition celebrating the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. It’s his first touring retrospective in Europe in 20 years. It focuses on Noguchi as a global citizen and his risk-taking approach to sculpture as a living environment. Over 150 works are presented from a variety of media. On view through January 9, 2022. Advance booking is essential. Barbican Centre on Silk St. in London, England. Go to barbican.org.uk or email [email protected]
“Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective” continues on its world tour with stops in Berlin and Tel Aviv. April 23 – August, 2022. Gropius Bau in Berlin. Niederkirchner Stra Be7,10963 Berlin. Tel Aviv Museum of Art from November 2 – April 23, 2022. The Golda Meier Cultural & Art Center, sderot sha’ul HaMelech Blvd., Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. +972-3-6077020.
“100 Years of Mingei: The Folk Crafts Movement” is on view at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo through February 13, 2022. 3-1 Kitano Marukoen, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. +81 3-5777-8600.
The first major retrospective of artist Lee Ufan in Tokyo is set to be on view from August 10 – November 7. 2022 at the National Art Center, Tokyo. This exhibit will then travel on to Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art where it will be on view from December 2022 – February, 2023. “14 Dynasties And A Region: The History and Culture of the Muslim World – The Collection of The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia” is on view through Feb. 10, 2022. The National Art Center, Tokyo is at 7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-Ku Tokyo 106-8558. For details, go to https://www.annohideakiten.jp/.
“Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA: Architecture & Environment” is on view through March 20, 2022 at Toto Gallery MA. The exhibit explores the boundaries between building and landscape. In Tokyo, Minato City, Minamiaoyama, 1 Chome-24-3. +81 3-3402-1010.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum has the following – “Memories Penetrate the Ground and Permeate the Wind – Contemporary Japanese Photography, Volume 18” and “Matsue Taiji – Makieta CC”. Both shows on view through January 23, 2022. Located in Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita Meguro-Ku, Tokyo. 03-3280-0099.
Ginza Six is a department store that uses different artists to design their interior from floor to ceiling. Currently on view through April 15, 2022 is the Shinto-inspired installation of a deer floating above clouds entitled “Metamorphosis Garden” by Kyoto-based artist Kohei Nawa. Download to a corresponding app and you can see the installation come to life on your cell phone. 6-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. https://ginza6.tokyo.e.abf.hp.transer.com/news/94805.
“Vivo Video: The Art and Life of Shigeko Kubota”. Kubota made work that some called video sculpture. I once saw her refreshing ode to Duchamp at Hara Art Museum which consisted of bicycle wheels with video monitors attached. This retrospective consists of drawings and documents found in her own archives along with works culled from Japanese collections. On view through February 23, 2022. Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo at 4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto Ku, Tokyo, Japan. +81-50-5541-8600 (Hello Dial).
“Murakami Saburo: Unlimited World” is a show on view through February 6, 2022. A key member of the Gutai Art Association known for his signature “paper break through” performance art. Ashya City Museum of Art & History. Hyogo, Ashiya, Isecho 12-25. +81 797-38-5432.
“Ohmori Akio: Sculpture Works” is on view through February 6, 2022. Includes works in wood & metal and images of living creatures. At Paramita Museum at 21-6 Obaneen Matsugaecho, Komono, Mie District, Mie Japan. +81 59-391-1088.
Japanese historian Meher McArthur has curated a touring group exhibit entitled “Washi Transformed: New Expressions In Japanese Paper” which features the work of nine contemporary Japanese artists which include Hina Aoyama, Eriko Horiki, Kyoko Ibe, Yoshio Ikezaki, Kakuko Ishii, Yuko Kimura, Yuko Nishimura, Takaaki Tanaka, and Ayomi Yoshida. The exhibit tours over 6 cities across the United States beginning in October of 2021.The lone West Coast date thus far is at Mingei International Museum in San Diego, CA. October 13, 2023 – January 7, 2024. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
“House of Slay” is a digital comic based on real-life Asian Americans in the fashion industry – Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Laura Kim, Tina Leung and Ezra J. William. The group of friends originally banded together to see if they could do something to fight the anti-Asian hate sweeping the country during Covid 19. Turned into superheroes by the EEP creative team of writer Jeremy Holt, cover artist Kevin Wada, colorist Kimi Lee, artist Soo Lee, Letterer AndWorldDesign and editor Alex Lu, “House of Slay” follows these real life friends on a fantastic adventure as they use their newfound abilities to face off against a villain powered by the hatred of everyday people. It launched on November 11, 2022. Go to httpa://tapas.io/series/house-of-slay/info. Goes weekly on Thursdays at 3pm (EST). Produced by Einhorn’s Epic Productions.
The Metropolitan Museum in New York City has renamed a wing in the museum for a Chinese American couple. The former Andre Meyer Galleries that held its 19th-century European paintings is now the Oscar L. Tang and H. M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing. The couple gave $125-million to kick off a sweeping renovation of the Met’s modern art galleries. Tang’s brother-in-law was the late Wen Fong, the long-time chair of the Met’s Asian art department. The donation was the largest ever capital donation ever given to the museum. Tang, who co-founded the asset management firm Reich and Tang has served as a museum trustee for three decades. He was the first American of Asian descent to join the board in 1994. Agnes Hsu Tang is an art historian and archaeologist and chair-elect of the board of the New York Historical Society. Opening at the museum on June 7, 2022 is “Kimono Style: The John C. Weber Collection” which traces the transformation of the kimono from the late Edo period (1615-1868) through the early 20th century.
“Enamel Industria” is the title of a show by Pankaj Vishwakarma. Born in a city dotted with the pigmentation of pollution, the artist uses the very materials from this industry of pollution in his own abstract work. As he says, “My work uses industrial pigments and paints to monumentalize the contribution of internally displaced migrants who work in industrial cities. To have a look, go to www.terrain.art. Terrain Art is based in New Delhi, India.
Performing Arts
Pork Filled Productions present announce their new season. Some productions to look forward to in the upcoming season include – “Slow Cooker Unleased! PNW Lore” set for Feb. or March, 2022. Alive workshop presentation of 3 new works by local BIPOC artists. Co-produced with Café Nordo in Nordo’s Knife Room. “Miku And The Gods” by Julia Izumi from June 16 – July 3rd, 2022. This is a co-presentation with ArtsWest developed in Unleashed 2020. “She Devil Of The China Seas” by Roger Tang set for July 2022. A full live production at Theatre Off Jackson, developed in Unleashed 2017. “PFP’s First Devised Show – 2022 Cohort Auditions”. Follow us for auditions announcement, the cohort will devise a full production for 2023. For more details, email [email protected]
For their new season, Khambatta Dance Company invites Nagdev Dance Arts from Mumbai, India to collaborate for a week. Performances open March 4, 2022 and run two weekends through March 12. The two companies will swap and combine dancers. Choreographers Khaambatta and Naagdev will exchange and collaborate. Look for details soon.
Local queer Korean American comic Stefanie Nam of Caracol Productions aims to create community through comedy and spaces by and for under represented people. She continues to present comedy shows at Distant Worlds Coffeehouse at Roosevelt and 65th with an Open mic set for January 26, 2022 and 2nd Thursdays at Olmstead on Broadway at 314 Broadway E. through March 20, 2022. For more details on the shows, try [email protected] or go to www.etsy.com/shop/CaracolCreative.
Town Hall Seattle has also announced their 2021/22 “Global Rhythms Series”. Of particular interest to our readers are the following –Ak Dan Guang Chil serves up dynamic Korean shamanic folk-pop music on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 7:30pm (PST). 1119 8th Avenue. 206-504-2857. To get tickets and find out the complete schedule, go to townhallseattle.org.
Edmonds Center for the Arts has revealed their upcoming season. Events of interest to our readers might be the following – The Ensemble Mik Nawooj do two concerts. The first will be an education matinee on February 10, 2022 at 10am and the evening concert on the same day at 7:30pm (PST). The annual favorite, “Masters of Hawaiian Music” returns on March 26, 2022 at 7:30pm (PST). 410 Fourth Ave. N. in Edmonds,WA. 425-275-9595.
With the opening of theatres across the country, Lauren Yee – one of the nation’s most staged playwrights is having a revival of her play production from coast to coast. In the Northwest, “The Great Leap” about a Chinese American basketball player and his team in Beijing just before Tiananmen Square happens is on stage at Portland Center Stage/Artists Repertory Theatre. Directed by Zi Alikhan. January 15 – February 13, 2022. 503-241-1278 or try [email protected]
Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine presents “Friday Night Jazz at Harissa’s” from 9pm – midnight every Friday. Featuring Bob Antolin, Norm Bellas and Ernesto Rediancco. $5 cover. 2255 N. E. 65th St. in Seattle. For reservations, call 206-588-0650.
STG Productions operates out of several theatres in the city and they have announced their up and coming 2021-22 live-in-person schedule. On Monday, February 14, 2022, catch Yamato Drummers of Nara, Japan who will shake the rafters with their giant taiko drums at the Moore Theare. Go to STG.org for details.
“Create Your Own Series”, choose any 5 concerts and save on Seattle Symphony’s upcoming “live-in-person” 2021-22 season. Some highlights include the following – Contemporary composer John Adams conducts the symphony in a concert entitled “The Music of John Adams” set for January 6 & 8, 2022. Beloved violinist Itzhak Perlman performs with pianist Rohan De Silva in a concert entitled “An Evening with Itzhak Perlman” on January 18, 2022. Popular singer/songwriter/violinist Kaoru Ishibashi known as Kishi Bashi joins the Seattle Symphonic in a program entitled “E09066”, a series of improvisations based on the experience of incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during WWII set for January 27 and 29, 2021.“Tied Together” is the name for a program of new music from the Asia/America New Music Institute in a collaboration of the HUB New Music String Quartet and Silkroad Ensemble shakuhachi player Kojiro Umezaki set for January 28, 2022. The piano duo HOCKET plays “(UNTITLED) 2022”, the second part of a two-part program dedicated to a hopeful future emerging from the pandemic. This program includes new works by composers Hitomi Oba and Jonathan Richards set for February 25, 2022. “Ragamala: A Journey into Hindustani Music” on March 18, 2022 is part of the “Octave 9 Emerging Artists” series curated by Seattle Symphony’s Composer-in-Residence Reena Esmail and featuring virtuoso Indian violinist Kala Ramnath. The annual “Celebrate Asia” series returns on March 20, 2022 with Kahchun Wong conducting. Soloists include Kala Ramnath on Indian violin and Ko-ichiro Yamamoto on trombone. Yamamoto plays in a program of work by Yoshio Hosokawa and, Tan Dun which is a Seattle Symphony co-commission and U.S. Premiere along with Seattle Symphony Composer-in-Residence Reena Esmail’s “Violin Concerto” written for and with Kala Ramnath, also a Seattle Symphony co-commission and World Premiere. Pianist Lang Lang returns on behalf of his recent recording of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” in a concert entitled “Lang Lang in Recital” on March 22,2022. The dynamic pianist Yuja Wang performs “Yuja Wang in Recital” on April 1, 2022 and Japanese virtuoso pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii comes to perform “Nobuyuki Tsujii in Recital” on April 12, 2022. Musicians of the Seattle Symphony perform “Wynton Marsalis: A Fiddler’s Tale Suite” as well as Portland-based composer Kenji Bunch’s “String Circle” and Anton Arensky’s “String Quartet No. 2” on May 3, 2022. In related news, a recent hire at Seattle Symphony is viola player Olivia Chew. She was most recently a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for six seasons. 206-215-4747 or go to seattlesymphony.org.
“When We Wake” is the apt title of Arts West’s new 2021-22 season with six new stories and six Seattle premieres. Coming later in the season is “Miku, and the gods” which is another world premiere by Julia Izumi. An epic adventure that braids friendship, death, memory, time, rhythm and power in the story of a group of gods whom must journey to the underworld and back. Runs June 16 – July 3, 2022. Go to artswest.org for more details.
Henry Art Gallery and Jack Straw Cultural Center present “Sonolocations – A Sound Works Series” in conjunction with Murmurations. Participants are composers Byron Au Yong (available starting June 4, 2021), Chenoa Egawa (available starting July 2, 2021) and Bill & Naima Lowe (available starting August 8, 2021). All works available at henryart.org and jackstraw.org as well as soundcloud and other pod cast platforms.
UW School of Drama has announced their 2021-2022 public season. Among their selections, they will produce Christopher Chen’s “Passage” May 19 – 29, 2022. Adrienne Mackey will direct. 206-543 -5140.
Pacific Northwest Ballet & PNB School present the following – In their 2021-2022 season of live performances in McCaw Hall will be a world premiere by choreographer Robin Mineko Williams in a program entitled “Plot Points” set for March 18 – 27, 2022.For complete details, go to PNB.org/DigitalSubscription or call 206-441-2424 or try www.PNB.org..
The UW Meany Center For The Performing Arts has announced a welcome return to live performance starting October 13, 2021 when their 2021-2022 season begins. Season tickets are now on sale and single tickets will go on sale September 7, 2021. Some performers include the following – In the “Chamber Music Series”, Wu Han, Philip Setzer and David Finckel perform on Wed., Feb. 16, 2022 at 7:30pm. George Li, a promising young concert pianist performs on Feb. 18, 2022 at 7:30pm. Included in this program is Qigang Chen’s Peking Opera inspired “Moments”. Concert pianist Joyce Yang takes the stage on May 3, 2022 at 7:30pm. Online ordering of tickets at MeanyCenter.org or call 206-543-4880.
Freehold Theatre Lab/Studio now located in the CID continues their classes in various aspects of the theatre both virtual and in-person. For a list of current classes, go to freeholdtheatre.org for details or call 206-595-1927.
Go to Nonsequiter’s website to listen to free links by local musicians performing original music at waywardmusic.org. Carol J. Levin on electric harp engages in a series of “Duo Improvisations” with Susie Kozawa who plays various sound objects. Jackie An performs music for violin and electronics. Sovan is an ambient music duo featuring songwriter Tomo Nakayama and film composer Jeramy Koepping. Classically trained pianist and designer Tiffany Lin plays a piano program of originals in this series. Local sound artist Susie Kozawa has a piece she did invoking the space at the Chapel. Percussionist/composer Paul Kikuchi explores new music. Choreographer/dancer/singer Haruko Crow Nishimura performs a new vocal piece. Other performers include Leanna Keith, Nordra, Ahmed Yousefbeigi, Mother Tongue with Angelina Baldoz, trumpeter Cuong Vu and drummer Ted Poor, the wife/husband classical duo of Melia Watras and Michael Jinsoo Lim, Joshua Limanjaya Lim, Rahikka & James Lee, Kaoru Suzuki and Chris Icasiano with more to follow. The Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center has re-opened and is now booking again various kinds of adventurous/experimental music. Go to waywardmusic.org for details.
Town Hall Seattle presents the following – On January 8, 2022 at 7:30pm catch a live-person and streamed presentation of “Bushwick Bookclub: An Evening of Music Inspired by the Written Word.” Tonight a group of local musicians take on Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart”. Town Hall Seattle in conjunction with the UW Taiwan Studies Arts & Culture Program are producing “Small Island Big Song” set for January 29, 2022 at 7:30pm. This program explores the cultural connections between the descendants of the seafarers of the Pacific and Indian Oceans through Austronesian migration. Hear the cross-cultural musical dialogue between cultures as diverse as Madagascar, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Taiwan, Mauritius, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Unique musical cultures mixed with diverse styles such as roots-reggae, beats, grunge, RnB, folk & spoken word. Town Hall also has digital programming of upcoming events on their live stream page. They have a media library of hundreds of video and audio free to enjoy. New additions include Pardis Mahdayi’s “A Social and Personal History of the Hyphen” and Audrea Lim’s “Stories And Lessons from America’s Unsung Environmental Movement.” The discussion of the memoir “An Immigrant Daughter’s Story” by Senator Mazie K. Hirono with Viet Thanh Nguyen has been added. Laila Lalami who talks about “What It Means Be An American” and her book, “Conditional Citizens” with fellow author Viet Thanh Nguyen is also available. Go to townhallseattle.org for details.
“Ngu Ngay Ngay Ngay Tan The” (Sleeping Through the Apocalypse) is a 2021 album by Ran Cap Duoi, an electronic music group from Vietnam.
Film & Media
Northwest Film Forum screens the 2021 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour (in-person only) January 12 – 16, and again January 19 & 20, 2022. Some of the 7 films included are by Asian American filmmakers. “Bj’s Mobile Gift Shop” by Jason Park follows a young Korean American hustler as he goes around Chicago hawking his wares. “KKUM” is an animated short by Kang-Min Kim that focuses on his mother’s dreams that always have strong premonitions for the important moments in this director’s life. The Sundance Film Festival 2022 is a tour of 9 of their feature films screening (in-person only) January 28 – 30, 2022. Some films by Asian American filmmakers include the following. A documentary film entitled “Free Chol Soo Lee” screens on January 30 at 5:30pm. This film is about a Korean immigrant wrongly accused of murder and the community efforts to free him. He becomes the symbol for a landmark movement but once released from jail, self-destructs. There will be a Q & A with the filmmakers after the screening for this one. “Everyday in Kaimuki” by Alika Maikau screens on Sunday, January 30 at 2:15pm. A young man is determined to give his life meaning once he leaves the small Hawaiian town where he grew up but leaving means giving up everything he’s ever known and loved behind. “Drive My Car” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi is a road movie abut a stage actor/director haunted by his wife’s death who meets a taciturn young woman who serves as his driver in a city where he will direct a play by Chekov. Screens (in-person only) January 5 – 9 and January 12 & 13, 2022. “Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue” (in-person only) is the latest film by Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-ke. Screens January 28 – 30, 2022. The film is a deep look at a changing China in the rural villages and small towns of the director’s childhood and how they’ve changed. “Introduction” is Korean director Hong Sangsoo’s twenty-fifth film and the first where he also serves as cinematographer. It is a tale of young people on the edge of adulthood in situations where silence is as important as anticipated conversations. Screens (in-person only) February 2 – 6, 2022. The Children’s Film Festival Seattle is the largest festival on the West Coast dedicated to children’s films from over 50 countries. Screening February 11 – 20, 2022. Go to bit.ly/cffs2022 for details. 1515 12th Ave. on Capitol Hill. 206-329-2029 or go to www.nwfilmforum.org.
SIFF’s Film Talks Series “BANNED” examines films throughout history so provocative that they were deemed too dangerous by authorities for viewing. Screening on Wed., January 25, 2022 at SIFF Film Center at 7pm will be “Realm of the Senses”. This is Nagisa Oshima’s passionate telling of the story of Sada Abe, a woman whose affair with her master led to an obsessive and ultimately destructive sexual relationship. A SIFF Film Talk on this movie takes place on Wed., February 2, 2022 at SIFF Film Center. The talk will be live and live streamed via ZOOM webinar.305 Harrison St. in Seattle Center. 206-464-5830.
“See For Me” is the latest feature film by Japanese Canadian director Randall Okita. A young blind woman finds herself under invasion by thieves and her only means of defense is using a new app that connects her to a volunteer across the country who tries to help her survive. Screens January 7 – 12, 2022. Grand Illusion Cinema in the University District at 1403 NE 50th St. [email protected].
“Poupelle of Chimney Town” is a new animated feature film directed by Yusuke Hirota in theatres now. Adapted by Akihiro Nishino from his picture book of the same name, the story is about a lonely boy who works as a chimney sweep and his first friend, a creature made of trash.
“Nine Days” is an American supernatural drama film written and directed by Japanese Brazilian director Edson Oda. It stars Wilson Duke as an arbiter who interviews five unborn souls to determine which one can be given life on earth. The cast includes Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgard, David Rysdahl and Arianne Ortiz. Released by Sony Pictures on DVD, Blue-ray and digital download platforms such as Prime Video.
“Encounter” stars Riz Ahmed as a marine trying to rescue his sons after a global cataclysm. Directed by Michael Pearse. Opens December 3 in theatres and December 10 on Amazon.
“Flee” is the award-winning full-length animated feature that was a Sundance award-winner. It tells the story of an Afghan man who fled the country as a child, bouncing from place to place in the world, looking for refuge. Opens December 3, 2021 in theatres.
“Try Harder” is documentary filmmaker Debbie Lum’s look at the hypercompetitive race to for students to get into college at a Bay Area high school. Opens December 3, 2021 in theatres.
“Drive My Car” is another film by Ryusuki Hamaguchi that looks at a stage actor/director, his recently deceased wife and a journey by car to a theatre by a mysterious young woman driver. Scenes of the intersection between drama and real life. Opens November 24, 2021 in theatres.
The Rescue” is Oscar-winning (“Free Solo”) documentary filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin’s look at the 2018 cave rescue of a boys soccer team in a Thai cave. Opens in theatres in October, 2021.
“Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” is a trio of stories of three female characters that hinge on chance coincidences, misunderstandings and surprise reactions. Opens October 15, 2021 in theatres and virtual cinemas. Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
“Found” is a documentary about three adopted teenage girls from China who discover one another through DNA testing and go on a journey together to the land of their birth. Directed by Amanda Lipitz. Opens on October 20, 2021 on Netflix.
“There’s Someone Inside Your House” stars Sydney Park as a teenager transplanted from Hawai’i to Nebraska who works with friends to unmask a killer. Comes out October 2021 on Netflix.
“Pebbles” is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language film and marks the directorial debut of P. S. Vinothraj. Stars Chellapandi and Karuththadaiyaan. The story is about an abusive husband and his son who must walk in the searing heat to a distant village to retrieve his wife who has run away to her sister’s house. The film premiered at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam where it won an award. It is india’s official entry to the 2022 Oscars. It has not yet received general distribution and is presently making the rounds of film festivals where it has received glowing reviews.
“Memoria” is a 2021 film by Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. It stars Tilda Swinton as a British ex-pat in Columbia who becomes ill with a respiratory complaint. One night she wakes up from her sleep from a strange banging sound that nobody else seems to be able to hear. It is distributed in the US by NEON which began a theatre release plan in which the film will screen at one theatre at a time for successive weeks.
Amit Masurkar’s “Sherni” (Hindi for “tigress”) is set in the central India jungle where a forest officier (Vidya Balan) must protect and preserve the environment. But when industry has robbed villagers of grasslands for cattle, they must venture into wild territory frequented by tigers. And when casualities occur in this intersection, things get more complex for the forest officers who must protect both environment and people. Streaming on Amazon.
MUBI presents the following – “Parched 2015 film by Leena Yadan that looks at the rich and complex fates of rural women in India and their urge to survive against all odds. Based on real-life stories. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2020 release “Wife of a Spy” is a riveting tale of cloaked identities and marital distrust during the Japanese colonial era in China during WWII. “The Works And Days (of Tayoko Shiojiri in the Shiotani Basin) by C.W. Winter and Anders Edstrom. This 2020 documentary film takes a deep look into the rural life of a Japanese women and the rituals of the everyday in the countryside. MUBI presents a double-bill of films by Tsai Ming-liang and Lee Kang-Sheng. “Days” is a 2020 film about kinship, healing and curative connections that tingles with anticipation. “Afternoon” from 2015 explores the relationship between filmmaker and muse as they engage in an engaging conversation. Julien Faraut’s 2021 documentary film “The Witches of the Orient” is the story of a group of Japanese female factory workers who became Olympic champions. “Winter’s Night” is Jang Woo-jin’s 2018 film which is a nocturnal rumination on love and midlife crisis that alternates between contemplation and magical realism. In Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s 2018 film “Blue”, an insomniac lies in bed as theatrical backdrops unvel themselves and her sheet catches aflame. Filed during 12 nights in the heart of a Thai forest. Kim Cho-Hee was director Hong Sang-Soo’s former producer. In 2019, he directed his own feature film entitled “Lucky Chan-Sil” which stars Kang Mai-Geun as a film producer who loses her job when her director dies. Working as a cleaning lady for a household, she becomes infatuated with the French teacher to the family she works for. Co-stars Youn Yun-Jung of Minari” fame. Zeshawn Ali’s 2020 documentary film debut “Two Gods” is an invaluable documentary of the Muslim American experience as it follows a Muslim casket maker and ritual body washer throughout the years as he serves the community in New Jersey. “Moving On