Tucked away on a narrow street in one of Tokyo’s oldest and most interesting neighborhoods is the studio of Nihonga artist, Allan West. Allan and I met a few years ago, when we were fellow lecturers for an international conference in Kyoto.
Nihonga is a fascinating medium with strong roots in traditional Japanese painting and some western influence. Its development into a modern Japanese art form came about shortly after Japan opened up to the world following nearly 250 years of self-imposed isolation, in the 1800s, through the influence of art critics, such as Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa. At a time of extraordinary fascination with western art by the Japanese, the concept of Nihonga was brought forward as a way of focusing attention on overshadowed traditional Japanese art. However, Nihonga was different from pre-modern Japanese painting in the breadth of the subjects portrayed. It also combined previously separate styles of Japanese painting, such as Kano and Rimpa, and incorporated western perspective, among other techniques.
Allan West discovered Nihonga during graduate school at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts, located just around the corner from what is now his studio. After receiving an MFA in Japanese painting, he set up his studio in Japan, and has worked here, ever since. Allan’s innovative Nihonga is shown and collected throughout the world.
Bonjour,
Très intéressée de découvrir cet artiste.
Et de découvrir que le nihonga peut se peindre sur rouleau.
A t il un site?
Another fascinating person to be revealed on your blog. Talented and creative.
Thanks Steve.
Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
I really enjoy reading Allen West: Nihonga Artist « Steve Beimel . It’s very interesting. Hope you will post something like this again.
I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often!
I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.
I have just discovered your blog. I just returned from 10 days in Kyoto– loved the temples, gardens, shops, streets, and flea markets.. and want to return. your blog posts are wonderful.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. You obviously know what you are talking about! Your site is so easy to navigate too, I’ve bookmarked it in my favourites
Слышал эту историю лет так 7 назад….
Nihonga is a fascinating medium with strong roots in traditional Japanese painting and […….
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