March 2024 Curators Choice with Russell Kelty

For hundreds of years the capricious and at times destructive forces that propel the winds and trigger thunder and lightning have prompted artistic expression. In Japan, this pair of numinous deities are known as 風神Fūjin (wind), and 雷神Raijin (thunder) and they remain a pervasive presence in the cultural landscape.

Fūjin and Raijin are but two of the vast number of numinous deities known as kami that pervade the landscape of Japan and inspire both awe and fear. These beliefs reflect an intimate interrelationship between nature, devotion and art and ultimately represent the changing nature of humanity’s connection with the natural world.

Join Russell Kelty, Curator, Asian Art, as he explores the monumental set of screens, Untitled, Wind God and Thunder God after Ogata Kōrin (1658 - 1716) and Tawara Sōtatsu (c. 1570 – c. 1640) created by Takaya Kōho (c. 1870 – c. 1920), currently on display in Gallery 21 in Misty Mountain, Shining Moon: Japanese landscape envisioned until 28 July 2024.

We will meet in the Atrium at 4:45pm for a drink before settling in for Russell's presentation at 5pm.

Please RSVP by Tuesday 19 March 2024.