Japanese art repays study

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 18

Japanese art repays study

Exhibition of pottery* and Japanese handcrafts at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery. Reviewed bv David Brokenshire.

On show at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery are pots made in Japan by Rex Valentine, plus a selection of Japanese handcrafts collected during bis stay there. This exhibition is the result of 14 months concentrated work and study, first under master potter Uragami in Bizets City, then at Kurashiki studying under Okishis Haraki. ~ Although largely engaged in pottery Valentine also made time to study both the tea ceremony and the art of flower arrangement. One complete display

case holds pots made under Uragami’s eye and faithfully worked in his style. These pieces were fired in the traditional Bizen kiln and will appear familiar to all who saw Uragami’s exhibition in Christchurch.

This collection of Japanese handcrafts has been selected with great care and is vastly more interesting than the average traveller’s trivia. There are fascinating examples of basketry, glassware, cast iron, fabrics, wooden boxes and many pots of widely differing styles. For full understanding it is a pity that as yet there is no catalogue or ex-

planatdrv notes with each piece. One small group of a tea bowl, whisk and bamboo spoon for green tea can represent the quality of this show. Each article is exquisite and stands as { a work of art in its own right. This is a quiet, gentle j exhibition which will i amply repa> hours of inense study.