Opens: Friday Evening January
29th, 5:00 - 8:30 PM
Exhibition Date: January 29th - March 16th 1999
The Netsuke, a special form of miniature sculptural art originally played a functional role as an accessory to traditional Japanese costume during the Edo period (1603 - 1868). In the late 19th century these tiny works of art were discovered by Western collectors and now most of the high quality Netsuke of the Edo period are in European or American collections.
With the advent of Western dress in Japan, the netsuke lost its function, but carvers never entirely abandoned the format. During the 1960s a renewed interest by collectors in both the West and in Asia stimulated an outstanding generation of carvers who will have a significant place in cultural history. The Netsuke has returned to an excellence unknown since the Edo period.
Anthony Towne, a Lane County native and a graduate in Forest Management from Oregon State University, is among a very few non-Japanese Netsuke carvers whose art has attained international stature and it now ranks with the work of the elite carvers in Japan. His carvings are distinguished not only by their technical virtuosity but also by design features which frequently have a strong narrative element. Towne's work is included in many prestigious collections including that of His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito Takamado of Japan's royal family. His art has been shown at the British Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Mishima-Taisha Museum of Art, and most recently the Museum for East Asian Art in Berlin.
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| Unhappy
Demon Fossil Walrus Ivory, Ebony Sold Imperfection can be beautiful. Many of the old elephant ivory Netsuke have age cracks. Seldom are the cracks where you would want them. This beautiful fossil walrus ivory is cracked but solid. The crack will not expand unless the material is repeatedly subjected to extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity. I choose to have fun with the flaw and carved the demon. He is upset with the crack, his drooping horns, and the spilled milk on his chin. |
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| Tribal
Conflict - World Pain 2" by 1 1/2" Ebony This Netsuke is a response to the massacre in Rwanda. The pain is felt by us all. The soul's tears are as red as the blood spilled. I pray for peace in the family of man. We are all brothers and sisters. |
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| Shadow
Work Ebony Sold This Netsuke is about the dark beauty that is found when frightening challenges are faced and integrated into one's being. |
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