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Traces of Words

Art and Calligraphy From Asia

Look Closer

Traces of Words

Art and Calligraphy From Asia

Look Closer

Traces of Words

Art and Calligraphy From Asia

Dates

May 11, 2017 – October 9, 2017

Words and their physical manifestations are explored in this insightful exhibition, which will honour the special significance that written forms, especially calligraphy, hold across the many unique cultures of Asia – a vast geographical area boasting the greatest diversity of languages in the world.

Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia will showcase the varied forms of expression associated with writing throughout Asia over the span of different time periods: from Sumerian cuneiform inscriptions, Qu’ranic manuscripts, Southeast Asian palm leaf manuscripts and Chinese calligraphy from MOA’s Asian collection to graffiti art from Afghanistan and contemporary artworks using Japanese calligraphy, and Tibetan and Thai scripts.

Curated by Fuyubi Nakamura (MOA Curator, Asia), the multimedia exhibition will meditate on the physical traces of words — both spoken and recorded — unique to humans. Embodying both the ephemeral and eternal elements innate to the human experience, the cultural significance of words and their artistic representation through calligraphy, painting, digital works and mixed media are examined. Traces of Words will feature works from six international artists — Shamsia Hassani, Kimura Tsubasa, Nortse, Phaptawan Suwannakudt, Yugami Hisao and teamLab.

A full-colour publication, Traces of Words: Art and Calligraphy from Asia edited by Fuyubi Nakamura, featuring essays by leading scholars in the field, and illustrated with the exhibited works, will accompany the exhibition and is available for purchase at the MOA Shop.

Works from this exhibition remain in Case 76 in the Multiversity Galleries as a miniature exhibit.

Curator: Fuyubi Nakamura

Supported by

 

Image credits L-R: All photos by Ricardo Seah. Shamsia Hassani, What about the dead fish, 2011, courtesy of the artist.