"Allure of Watercolor Paintings" Exhibition

The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama

This event has ended.

Watercolor paintings have a unique clearness and weightlessness. The medium has been incorporated in education, and is a common art expression for everyone. The exhibition focuses the museum's watercolor painting collection which has been a focus for the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama.
Watercolor painting is a rather new medium that was introduced to the Japanese during the Meiji period from western influences. Yet, the Japanese noticed that the consistency of paint was rather similar to Japanese ink, which was commonly used as an artistic medium. Thus, Japanese painters were quick to incorporate this technique in their artwork.
The exhibition features works by Chu Asai and Tojiro Oshita, who were prominent watercolor painters during the Meiji and Taisho periods, as well as those by Ryusei Kishida and Toshiyuki Hasegawa. From the Showa period, Toshio Nakanishi is an artist that represents a Japanese sensibility. In addition, works by Sam Francis and Tatsuoki Nambata represent the relationship between Japan and the west after WWII.

[Image: Kyokichi Tanaka "Wakayama Castle, Near the Fumei Gates" (1913) Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama]