March 15, 2004

 

Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Holeman Collection

 

(Cadiz, KY) – The Janice Mason Art Museum once again brings a taste of Japan to Cadiz and Trigg County.  Beginning March 27, the Museum will feature more than 50 traditional Japanese woodblock prints, some more than 200 years old, with the opening of the new exhibit, Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Holeman Collection.

 This amazing collection is on loan from the Dawson Springs Museum and Art Center and is only a portion of their collection donated by Claude Holeman, a resident of Dawson Springs. Museum patrons will recall the beautiful Japanese Kimono exhibit loaned by the Dawson Springs Museum in 2002.

Mr. Holeman collected more than 750 woodblock prints during his 36-year stay in Japan.  Invented by the Chinese in the second century BC, the Japanese adopted the woodblock printing methods in the first century AD.  Synonymous with Japanese woodblock prints is the term “Ukiyo-e” literally meaning “pictures of the floating world.”  Unlike other art forms, such as classical painting which was for the court and nobility, ukiyo-e were produced for the common people, depicting images of everyday life. Many were produced as advertisements, or even comics.

The prints in this exhibit are generally arranged to show the development of the art form.  In addition, one section will be devoted to foreign influence, and another will display the story of the Ronin.  One actual hand-carved wood block with proof is also a part of this exhibit.

The exhibit will open with a reception Saturday, March 27 at 6:30.  Mr. Holeman will be on hand to talk with visitors and answer questions about his collection.  The last day to enjoy the Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Holeman Collection will be April 22. 

The Janice Mason Art Museum is open Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and on Sundays 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.  For more information, check the website at www.jmam.org, or call 270 522 9056.  Partial funding is provided by the Kentucky Arts Council, an agency in the Commerce Cabinet with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

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