Eykyn Maclean Presents First U.S. Exhibition of Renowned Artist Kan Yasuda, May 6 – June 27 2014

Eykyn Maclean will present the first ever exhibition in the United States of internationally renowned sculptor Kan Yasuda. The exhibition, open to the public 6 May – 27 June at 23 East 67th Street, will feature over twenty of the artist’s new sculptures. Gallery partner Christopher Eykyn says, “Having followed Kan’s career in Europe and Japan, we are delighted to have the opportunity of introducing his work to an American audience. Working together with Kan, we have selected a group of works that best represent this important artist at the height of his career. I know that Kan’s sculpture will resonate as powerfully here as it does in the rest of the world.”

Born in Japan in 1945, Yasuda has divided his time between Hokkaido, Japan and Pietrasanta, Italy for over forty years, and his work deftly merges the cultural traditions of East and West. 

Asia Week 2013 Press Walk

It's a rare event that will have me gladly wake up at 6am without pressing the snooze button.   But at 8am yesterday, I was at China 2000 Fine Art, eager to partake in the Asia Week New York's Press Walk.  Asia Week's PR maven, Marilyn White led a group to preview some of the galleries participating in Asia Week New York, the annual collaboration of international Asian art specialists, major auction houses, museums and Asian cultural institutions.  We visited around 30 galleries in the span of 12 hours and had a fascinating, eye-opening and education experience.

At its fifth year, the Asia Week takes place in metropolitan New York with a diverse group of galleries showing antiques, traditional and contemporary artwork from Asia inluding China, Japan, Korea, Tibet, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, and is open to the public from March 15 - March 23, 2013.

Here are a few highlights of my day.

Dai Ichi Arts 
Contemporary Chinese and Japanese
100 Central Park South 11C,
Newy York, NY 10019

Dai Ichi Art's exhibit, The Best of the Two Contemporary Asian Countries:  Chinese Shuimo (水墨 water ink) Paintings and Japanese Ceramics, truly was a representation of the perfect melding of Western and Eastern techniques in Chinese Shuimo Paintings and Japanese Ceramics.

Kato Tsubusa (b. 1962) Square Bowl, 2008.  Pale blue glazed porcelain

Hayashi Yasuo 林康夫, Kawabata Kentaro  小原康裕,  Miwa Kazuhiko 三輪和彥, Nagae Shigekazu 長江重和, Wada Morihiro 和田守卑良 and Wakao Toshisada 若尾利貞 represent the golden age and the modern renaissance of ceramic making in Japan.  Their  work is traditional yet curretn, architectural yet abstract; disciplined yet free spirited.

Li Huisheng 李惠生, Camels in Tian Shen Mountain (2002)

Li Huisheng 李惠生, rediscovers the essence of traditional Shuimo paintings in his unique, expressive and vigourous style.

Asia Week March 16- March 24

Asia Week is happening this week and ends March 24th.  With exhibitions presented by more than 30 prominent Asian art dealers from the U.S. and abroad, auctions at, Bonhams, Christie’s, Doyle New York, iGavel, and Sotheby’s as well as dozens of special events are planned for this period, this is not something you want to miss!

Asia Week Press Walk

In anticipation of Asia Week 2011 which is from March 18 - March 26, a Press walk and Preview event was held at the Ralph M.Chait Galleries.  Carlton Rochell, chairman of Asia Week New York 2011  made opening remarks, estimating that $100 million worth of Asian Art would be on the market for Asia Week and as many as 10,000 to 20,000 objects of art would be on display.  Vice President of Ralph M. Chait Galleries, Steve Chait spoke about the history of Asia Week and the Galleries' background and also gave us a tour of their spring exhibition. 

Asia Week is an unprecedented collaboration of more than 30 prominent Asian art specialists, 5 auction houses and 17 museums and Asian cultural institutions.  There are thirty-four extraordinary Asian art exhibitions to be simultaneously on view in celebration of Asia Week 2011.   Participating dealers include Bonham's, Christie's, Sotheby's, Doyle New York and iGavel.  We were provided with a compact 88 page guide detailing the Calendar of Events and different dealers with corresponding area of specialization, featuring a broad spectrum of expertise including Contemporary Chinese, Chinese, Indian, Himalayan, Southeast Asian, Japanese, Contemporary Japanese, Korean, and contemporary Korean art.

Carlton Rochell, chairman of Asia Week New York 2011

Steven Chait, Vice President, Ralph M. Chait Galleries

The Ralph M. Chait Galleries have a history of over 100 years in New York City, and is one of the oldest galleries to specialize in fine antique Chinese porcelain.  Some of the pieces that stood out included a rare large blue and white porcelain plate which had been off the market for 60 years and charming and lively stucco figure of a seated Lohan.  It was truly special exhibit with many vibrant pieces.  Only a few blocks away are visit-worthy exhibits at MD Flacks showing a variety of Chinese Scholar's trays and Dalton Somaré displaying early artwork from the Indian Subcontinent.

Rare Large Blue and White Porcelain Plate (Shunzi/early Kangxi period, mid 17th century), Ralph M. Chait Galleries

Large Stucco Figure of a Seated Lohan (Yuan/Ming dynasty, ca: 14th/15th century), Ralph M. Chait Galleries

Allan S. Chait, Head of Firm, and Son of Ralph M. Chait

Rare Large Cast Iron Fgure of Manjsuri Riding upon a Lion,  (1344), Ralph M. Chait Galleries

MD Flacks Exhibit - Scholar Trays

MD Flacks Exhibit - Scholar Trays

MD Flacks Exhibit - Scholar Trays

Dalton Somaré Exhibit

Dalton Somaré Exhibit

There are dozens of special events planned for the week.  On Tuesday, March 22, Japan Society will host a lecture and private reception in celebration of Bye Bye Kitty!!!,  a group show featuring  contemporary young Japanese artists, most of whom are based in Japan and little-known in the United States.  Visit www.AsiaWeekNY.com for more information.