KABUKI LEGENDS CURATOR'S TALK

PAST EVENT FOR MEMBERS

Mon 13 Nov, 3.30–4.30pm

In-person and online

An Exclusive Talk for Members of the Ashmolean

For those attending in person, the talk is in the Museum's Headley Lecture Theatre

Tea, coffee and cake will be served from 3pm

The online event will be held on Zoom

With exhibition curator Clare Pollard

This talk will introduce the striking prints of contemporary Japanese print artist Takahashi Hiromitsu (b. 1959), currently the focus of our free Kabuki Legends exhibition.

Hiromitsu’s work depicts iconic scenes from the kabuki theatre, in which performers wearing elaborate costumes and make-up use stylised movement and song to enact melodramatic stories about love, loyalty and the clash between duty and emotion.

Hiromitsu’s prints evoke Japan’s traditional ukiyo-e woodblock actor prints in theme and composition, but are made using the very different kappazuri ‘stencil printing’ technique, originally used for dyeing kimono. This process is complex and labour-intensive and Hiromitsu is one of very few artists working in this way today. Dr Pollard will present the stories and techniques behind the prints, and explain how the Ashmolean came to have its own extensive Hiromitsu collection thanks to museum supporter Philip Harris.

The talk will be available to watch live on Zoom for those not able to attend in person.

Join Clare Pollard in our latest video to go behind the scenes of the exhibition and explore Hiromitsu's techniques.