Tucked away in the folds of Fredericksburg lie Japanese rice fields covered in morning dew, where the precise detail of thatched roofing contrasts with the clear, open sky.
A ticket to Japan might be pricey, but witnessing these exotic sights is absolutely free at the Ridderhof Martin Gallery’s "Images of Japan" exhibition.
Cubes and rectangles of vibrant, traditional Japanese art line the interior of the University of Mary Washington gallery, using reds, blacks, grays and golds to bring life to the room’s stark walls until Oct. 26.
Gold leaf and delicate butterflies raised slightly above an eggshell-tinted surface rest peacefully alongside lotus petals at the feet of a kimono-clad geisha, while detailed sketches capture a misty morning in a Japanese rice field.
UMW ’74 graduate Leslie Huff–the show’s curator and one of the exhibition’s collectors–brought Japan’s tradition and artistic technique to the gallery with the hope of informing the community of Japanese culture.
"When you have knowledge of something, it’s important to share and broaden people’s horizons," Huff said. "What’s a better way to do that than through art?"
The show, comprising works from 20 contemporary artists, stresses the importance of ancient ancestry and artistic tradition.
All pieces within the exhibit are prints–images transferred onto paper through media such as wood blocks, metal plates and stones. Most impressively, all pieces are printed, published and designed by the artists themselves.
"In the U.S. today, it’s very rare that you would see that," Huff said.
Huff and her husband lived for 10 years in Japan, where they met the show’s other lenders and collectors. When she decided to contact the other four collectors, she found their support overwhelming.
The collaboration resulted in walls of bold color and detail from collections held in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Connecticut and Maryland.
"It’s really fun to see them all together," Huff said of the pieces. "These are seminal works from the ends of careers for some and the beginnings for others, and I feel that pulls the collections together in an interesting way."
And while Huff recommends a trip to Japan to experience the country and its art firsthand, a short drive to the campus certainly beats an 18-hour flight.
To reach Stephanie Breijo: 540/374-5000, ext. 5779
Email: sbreijo@freelancestar.com
What: "Images of Japan" When: Through Oct. 26, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Where: The Ridderhof Martin Gallery, the University of Mary Washington Cost: Free Info: 540/654-1013