Kushiro Unsen: Cup After Cup, and Yet Another Cup

About this event

The special exhibition 'Kushiro Unsen: Cup After Cup, and Yet Another Cup' held at the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art explores the works of the wandering painter Kushiro Unsen (1759-1811). Born in Shimabara, Unsen traveled widely and passed away in Izumozaki, engaging in creative activities in Okayama from around 1791 to 1800. This exhibition features approximately 30 works, including pieces shown for the first time, allowing visitors to enjoy landscape paintings depicted with fresh brushwork and spirited compositions. In particular, through large-scale works such as 'Folding Screen of Orchid Pavilion Gathering with Music, Go, Calligraphy, and Painting' and 'Landscape Folding Screen', along with paintings illustrating his exchanges with literati in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions such as Kan Chazan, and powerfully brushed Four Gentlemen paintings, visitors can encounter Unsen's artistry and personality. Furthermore, it introduces his free-spirited lifestyle: his fastidiousness in doing his own cooking and laundry, his stubbornness that kept worldly people away, and how he immersed himself in sake, tea, fishing, and Go rather than painting. Centering on Unsen's stay in Okayama, this exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to delve into the persona of an artist who commanded respect from those around him through his aloof and noble demeanor.

Venue

Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art

8-48 Tenjin-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama 700-0814