Inspired －Sources of Ideas, Successions of Images　The World of Kinma －Featuring Masami Isoi

　　
Where do painters get the ideas for the colors and shapes in their paintings? While there are works born from painters’ experiences, emotions, and memories, some are directly influenced by other famous works or products found in everyday life.
Miran Fukuda (1963–) has created artworks that, drawing from masterpieces, involve tricks that jolt viewers’ preconceived notions, providing them with new perspectives. We have recently acquired Fukuda’s Autumn, winter, summer, and spring landscapes, which is based on the famous landscapes attributed to Emperor Huizong. While at first glance it appears to be a copy of the original, upon closer examination one finds writing in ink: sounds that one might hear within the landscape.
For this exhibition, we will present twenty-four works—homages, parodies, and so on—that use specific images, including Roy Lichtenstein’s (1923–1997) Haystacks series, which uses printed halftone dots to re-create the French impressionist Claude Monet’s works, and the posters of Kiyoshi Awazu (1929-2009), who employed patterns from the Japanese playing cards called hanafuda.
　　

　　
Kinma is a Kagawa lacquerware technique. Lines are carved into lacquer that has been applied multiple times, and these depressions are filled in with colors. Then, the surface is smoothed by polishing. This technique, which started in Thailand and Myanmar, was studied and developed into its present form towards the end of the Edo period in Takamatsu by Zokoku Tamakaji, the father of Sanuki lacquerware. In 1956, Joshin Isoi (1883–1964) was recognized as a so-called “Preserver of an Important Intangible Cultural Property” (commonly referred to as a “Living National Treasure”) for his lacquerware abilities. Since then, three other people in Kagawa have received the same distinction.
One of them was Masami Isoi (1926–). Born in Nishihama Shinmachi, Takamatsu City, he learned lacquerware techniques from his father Joshin, and, after being demobilized upon the conclusion of World War II, began to work at Daido Kogei Bijutsu-sha. At the 29th Kagawa Prefectural Exhibition in 1964, he received the Minister of Education Encouragement Award for his work Kisei two-colored vessel. In 1957, he was selected for the first time to exhibit at the Japan Kogei Association Exhibition, and in 1972 received the Minister of Education’s Award. Then, as mentioned above, in 1985 he was designated as a Preserver of an Important Intangible Cultural Property. Creatively carrying on the tradition of which he is part, Isoi has breathed fresh wind into the lacquerware world. He creates new expressions by creatively combining techniques, and also incorporates novel designs into his works. This exhibit will feature 26 of the museum’s pieces by Isoi, including seven acquired during the 2016 financial year.
　　

Period：
April 11(Tue)-June 25(Sun),2017
　　
Venue：
TAKAMATSU ART MUSEUM
　　
Closed：
Monday
　　
Hours：
Monday - Saturday & Holidays: 9:30 - 17:00 (Entry until 16:30)
*Until 19:00 during special exhibitions from Tuesday through Saturday and national holidays *Last entry is 30 minutes prior to closing.
　　
Organized by:
TAKAMATSU ART MUSEUM
　　
Admission：
【General 】200yen（160yen)
【University students】150yen (120yen)
【High school age or younger／ Seniors 65+】Admission free
※Advance Purchase and Groups of 20 or More Get Discounts (pricing in parenthesis)
※Free admission for those with a physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, or mental disability certificate.
　　
Telephone Inquiry
Takamatsu Art Museum
TEL +81-87-823-1711