Japanese artefacts installed at the Laing
A Japanese palanquin is installed at the Laing Art Gallery
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Conservators and staff from the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle have been hard at work installing a Japanese palanquin in the new exhibition, Japanese Wave.
A palanquin is a wheel-less vehicle used to carry people (often nobility). It will be on show in Japanese Wave, an exhibition which opens on 1 May, showcasing the Laing Art Gallery's impressive collection of Japanese art and artefacts.
The exhibition focuses on Japanese imagery from the 19th century and includes depictions of geisha, Japanese theatre and landscape.
Julie Milne, curator of the Laing Art Gallery, says:
“The Laing is lucky enough to hold a collection of more than 1,200 items of Japanese art, mainly dating from the Edo and early Meiji periods. It includes prints by many of the best-known Japanese printmakers, including Hiroshige and Hokusai.”
As well as iconic images such as printmaker Hokusai’s Under the Wave, off Kanagawa, the exhibition includes many prints which give an insight into life in 19th century Japan. Images of geisha are on show as well as depictions of Kabuki theatre, alongside decorative artefacts reflecting the themes seen in the prints such as combs, mirrors and fans designed for use by fashionable Japanese ladies of the day.
On Wednesday 19 May, from 12.30pm – 1.30pm, Edinburgh-based artist Paul Furneaux will be at the Laing Art Gallery giving a talk and demonstration on the art of Japanese woodblock printing. No booking is required to attend the talk.