The beauty of nature Representations in East Asian art
In this series, curator and academic Jackie Menzies will look at how nature is represented in Chinese, Korean and Japanese art and how natural materials are used in artistic practice in these cultures.
Over three lectures, Menzies will examine the traditions of landscape and bird-and-flower painting, the symbolism of plants and animals, and the use of bamboo, jade, laquer and silk to craft objects of beauty and ingenuity. Each lecture will explore the work of major artists, including the renowned Japanese painter and printmaker Katsushika Hokusai.
Jackie Menzies was the inaugural curator of Asian art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and head of the Asian Department until 2012. She is president of the Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA).
The beauty of nature Representations in East Asian art
Various Saturdays 2pm
15 June – 6 July 2024
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Naala Nura, our south building
Lower level 1, Centenary Auditorium
Per lecture
$40 non–member
$30 member
$30 TAASA member
$15 student
Series subscription
$110 non-member
$80 member
$80 TAASA member
$40 student
Bookings and enquiries: 02 9225 1878
Transaction terms and conditions, including cancellations and refunds
If booking tickets on behalf of others, you are responsible for communicating all correspondence from the Art Gallery Society of NSW to them.
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Nature in Chinese art
This lecture will discuss the landscapes of traditional Chinese ink painting, where nature is a refuge permeated by the cosmic qi (vital force), and the use of natural materials such as bamboo, jade and lacquer by Chinese artists. Learn more about bird-and-flower painting and the related symbolism of flowers and plants, including the ‘the four gentlemen’ – plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum – which represent humility, purity, righteousness and perseverance.
Saturday 15 June 2024 2–3pm
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Nature in Korean art
This lecture will focus on the art of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), when the adoption of neo-Confucianism impacted the art and aesthetics of Korean society. Distinctive to this period are ‘true view’ landscape paintings that depict the unmistakable Korean landscape, such as the Diamond Mountains. The lecture will also look at folk paintings (minhwa), and still-life paintings (chaekkori).
Saturday 29 June 2024 2–3pm
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Nature in Japanese art
This lecture will look at how Japanese art absorbed elements of both Chinese and Korean art, refining seasonal allusions and creating its own unique responses to landscape, animals, birds and flowers. It will explore the aesthetics of the Japanese tea ceremony along with famous studios, tea ceremony huts and gardens. It will also consider how elements of Western art have been adopted, and how contemporary art presents nature in completely new ways.
Saturday 6 July 2024 2–3pm