For more than one thousand years, Japan has produced some of the world’s finest paper. Japanese paper makers still use the skills passed down through generations to create handmade paper, known as “washi” (和紙). It is used in painting, calligraphy, origami, and other traditional art forms.
Japanese contemporary artists are now using washi as the basis for their artwork. They take this supple yet sturdy natural fiber and layer, weave, dye, twist, fold, and cut it to create highly textured hanging works.
Opening, Saturday, Jan. 29, the newest exhibit at the Longmont Museum brings this ancient yet innovative art form to Longmont. “Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper” showcases more than 30 expressive sculptures, dramatic installations, and two-dimensional works.
“Washi Transformed” spotlights the works of nine contemporary Japanese artists: Hina Aoyama, Eriko Horiki, Kyoko Ibe, Yoshio Ikezaki, Kakuko Ishii, Yuko Kimura, Yuko Nishimura, Takaaki Tanaka, and Ayomi Yoshida. All these artists use washi to create works that are unusual in size, unexpected in texture, and do not fit typical expectations of paper art.
Japanese art and culture set the stage for the Longmont Museum’s programming this season. Explore upcoming films, concerts, classes, and talks inspired by “Washi Transformed” at longmontmusuem.org.
The exhibition runs Jan. 29 through May 15. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, and veterans. Longmont Museum members and children age 3 and under are free. Gallery admission for visitors with an EBT or SNAP card is only $0.25, and the second Saturday of each month is free. Longmont Museum is located at 400 Quail Road, Longmont CO 80501.
The opening reception scheduled for January 28 has been postponed for the community’s safety due to COVID-19. Information about a rescheduled event will be available at longmontmusuem.org or by signing up for the Museum’s e-newsletter.
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