A Collector's Choice of Japanese Expression
From the collections of Gordon Brodfuehrer and George Powell
April 3, 2010 - April 29, 2010
During the month of April, the JapaneseFriendshipGarden will be home to the contemporary ceramics collection of Gordon Brodfuehrer and the Okuyama Gihachiro and Gijin hanga prints collection of Captain George Powell Jr. “A Collector’s Choice of Japanese Expression” will be on display from April 3-April 29. General admission is $4 with public hours from Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Ceramics are categorized by location. The wares displayed include Mino, Bizen, Hagi, and Iga and vary in techniques from the glazed to the unglazed. The overall look depends on the clay as well as firing conditions such as temperature, oxygen flow, and glaze application. By placing different wares in the same exhibit, the visitor will have an opportunity to compare the techniques and resulting finish.
Okuyama Gihachiro (1907-1981) studied under Kosaka Gajin and Ishii Kendo, an authority in Ukiyo-e art. He began his career in advertising, creating advertisements for the Japan Wool Company and Nikka Whiskey. He is famous for his One Hundred Views of Great Tokyo. As a fan of Van Gogh, Gihachiro copied a series of Van Gogh*s works, two of which are displayed here. Okuyama Gijin (1934-) learned carving techniques by working for his father and printing techniques from Sakakura Seijiro. He has created works of his own as well as reproductions of Ukiyo-e prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858).
About the Collectors
Gordon Brodfuehrer was raised with Asian art in his family home. The combination of extraordinary craftsmanship and the profound connection to nature seen in Japanese ceramics captivated him. The chawan (tea bowls) and kabin (flower vases) displayed in this exhibition reflect his enthusiasm for contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Brodfuehrer is on the Board of Trustees at the San Diego Museum of Art and is also a member of the Asian Art Council. He also serves as an acquisition committee member at the JapaneseFriendshipGarden.
Brodfuehrer is on the Board of Trustees at the San Diego Museum of Art and is also a member of the Asian Art Council. He also serves as an acquisition committee member at the JapaneseFriendshipGarden.
Captain George B. Powell, Jr. JAGC, USN (Ret) experienced his first taste of Asian art while stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Navy. There, he was exposed to Japanese woodblock prints at the Honolulu Academy of Art. His commitment to educating future generations can be seen in his donations of ukiyo-e prints and rare 18th and 19th century books to schools and museums.
Powell is a member of the JapaneseFriendshipGarden and an active member of the Asian Art Council at the San Diego Museum of Art.
Powell is a member of the JapaneseFriendshipGarden and an active member of the Asian Art Council at the San Diego Museum of Art.
