1994: Busan Nouveau

December 1, 1994
Kyoto

The highlight of this fall season was a two-day trip to Mt. Koya (Koyasan), elevation 3000 ft., celebrated for the monastery on the top founded in the 9th C. by Kobo-Daishi who spread the Shingon doctrines of Buddhism in Japan. There are over 120 temples in the area and a vast cemetery among the towering Japanese cedars and umbrella pines. These deep greens provided the perfect contrast with the reds of the maples and the yellows of the ginkos. My guide in understanding more about Buddhism was my studio assistant this year Tomoh Matsubara, who is a monk in the Zen Sect. We stayed over at one of the largest temples in a beautiful room overlooking the garden, had fantastic vegetarian meals and sat in on the early morning service rich with the chanting of the priests and heavy with the scent of incense. It was the perfect fall experience here, one which I have missed over the last few years.

My arrival in Kyoto this year was just a short time after I had major surgery on my left hand to repair a ruptured tendon. The recovery has been very slow and frustrating. My doctor here projects fairly complete recovery by June! In this state I was blessed with the appearance of a studio assistant, Tomoh, a graduate student in Italian Renaissance art history at Kyoto University and a Zen monk in training. He assisted with studio work in many ways and accompanied me to my weekly therapy sessions when I was in Kyoto. We were busy in July completing my new series of work. “Night Windows/Bangkok” for a solo show in Tokyo. The works utilize images of a major Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok. There are seven works ranging in size from two to four panels (each 90 x 42 cm). I used many colors of metal leaf from deep coppery tones to light golds and silvers printed onto a dark Thai silk fabric. I discovered. in my studio. that under very low light the reflection from the leaf brings a glorious glow out of the work. I also completed some new small works with Korean tile images for my shows in Pusan and Seoul in the fall.

In early August I traveled to Tokyo for the week of my show at the Wacoal Ginza Art Space. I had excellent control of the light and my intended effect in the gallery was realized. There was a nice group of friends at the opening including UGA alums who joined me later for dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant. The summer weather was the hottest in years, so I was pleased to spend my days at the cool gallery greeting visitors and catching up on correspondence and reading.

I returned to Kyoto to the opening of the “4th International Textile Competition ’94 – Kyoto”. On the whole it was a disappointment with fewer works than in the past and too many that raised questions about the theme, focus and jury process. There were also a number of solo shows in the galleries around Kyoto that provided more interest.

In mid-August I returned to Georgia to attend to various matters that could not be handled from Japan, including consultation with my doctor and therapist in Athens. Of course, it was great to see grandson Lee (and his parents) and a few friends. It was strange to be back in Georgia in the summer as I had not been there since 1982! Later we all flew off to Wisconsin where we were joined by the rest of the family and close friends to celebrate Mother’s 85th birthday. All of this plan was a surprise to her, and she glowed like a queen.

I was back in Kyoto for one night and then off in early September to Pusan for my solo show at Gallery Nouveau. The network of friends I established last year were my constant support group this visit from the moment of arrival until departure. The work shown employed primarily Korean images, especially tile roofs (kiwa) and they filled the space very well. It brought to one space a combination of works I had not shown together before. There was a good response, lots of student visitors and some sales. While there I had the opportunity to visit famous old Korean temples and get detailed information on Korean culture and temple styles from an architecture student I met at my show — a most impressive young man. I also indulged myself on several occasions at a famous hot spring in Pusan. It is something like a Disneyland of Water. It offered every imaginable way to enjoy the body in water — and a few you would never think of. I now know the true meaning of hedonism! I also gave a number of lectures while there, visited art schools and attended many openings of exhibitions. It was memorable visit.

Back to Kyoto for studio work and preparation for a trip to Kanazawa for a lecture and workshop at the Utatsuyama Crafts Workshop. The lecture was for the whole student body. but the workshop was for the small group of textile students. We had an enjoyable time together. I also had the chance to see old friends and re-discover historic Kanazawa. Refreshing early morning walks along the riverbank and in the neighborhoods of traditional houses from the Edo period gave a rich taste of history.

Early October was a time for studio work in the beautiful fall weather. By the middle of the month, I was off to Seoul for the opening of my Korean works at the Ba Tang Gol Art Center. I had great support from the Center staff and a delightful Korean Canadian who provided liaison with the staff and new insights into Korean culture from and in/outside viewpoint. The show looked good in the space and many friends attended the opening party. It was a time when there were many fiber art solo shows and I became rather of an expert in use of the subway system and in asking directions from friendly faces. In addition to old friends in the arts. I met new artists and spent time with Jeanne’s cousin Kiwan, who lived with me in Athens some years ago. He handled all the arrangements for shipping my work back to Atlanta — and without a hitch. A farewell dinner at a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant with traditional dance and music was the perfect conclusion to the Seoul visit.

The end of October saw me back in Kanazawa for the very traditional wedding of Kei and Junko Takayama (UGA language students) where I had the responsibility of making the major speech for the bride — in Japanese. Tomoh translated, adjusted the language and coached my delivery. We were both in a state of high tension, but it came off satisfactorily. The bride and groom were regal in their traditional kimono. The meal was a visual and gastronomic extravaganza which, fortunately, began after my performance so I could thoroughly enjoy it along with many toasts and traditional music and dance performances.

A week later I was off to Tokyo again to give several lectures and see some important exhibitions. These included a major one at the National Museum of Modern Art/Crafts with a focus on media. It brought together work in fiber, clay, lacquer, metal. wood and mixed media. My friend Hisako Sekijima, Japan’s top contemporary non-traditional basket maker was one of the featured artists (in one room like a solo show) and I was able to spend time with her and her husband Yasuo (a Hitachi exec who was shortly off to Phoenix for high level microchip discussions) at their apartment near the seaside out of Tokyo. There were many other outstanding shows on view, and I spent a very productive week in the city.

My train trip back from Tokyo through the cities and countryside was another special type of fall experience. I was struck by the greens of fall in Japan — the fresh green of the new sprouts in the harvested rice fields, bluish greens of the fields of cabbages and broccoli, the dark greens of the onions fields, tea gardens (with their neat and sculpted rows), and the mandarin orange groves with the bright accents of the ripened fruit. This was followed by the more traditional fall colors of Koyasan, intensified by the setting, and the colors in my neighborhood seen on morning walks and elsewhere around Kyoto.

Thanksgiving was occasion for my now-traditional turkey dinner enhanced by wonderous foods brought by the guests. We were 20 crowded into my tatami room seated on the floor and it was indeed a time to be thankful for many things in life.

I have had time to complete some new works these last weeks and set plans for my new series for next year. It has been a busy travel year for me — the busiest yet, but still with time for very productive studio work.

Soon I depart for the US with my usual stopover in Hawaii. This year I will see Moriyo, who was my house “master” for five years while he was a student at UGA, as well as other friends. Then on to Wisconsin to spend a few days with Mother before we travel together to spend the holidays with Page, Jeanne, Lee, and our friends in Athens.

I send you the best wishes for the holiday season and happiness for the New Year of the Boar.