Designer, painter, illustrator, dyer and book and print maker, Keisuke Serizawa was named a Living National Treasure by the Emperor of Japan for his distinctive kataezome style, combining Japanese dyeing techniques with those of Okinawan bingata. More than 100 examples of his work including kimono, noren, (door hangings), book designs, folding and hanging screens and obi (kimoni sashes) appeared in the exhibition, which was at the Riverside Municipal Museum, Riverside, California prior to its arrival here. Selections from Mingei International’s collection of Serizawa’s work were included in this San Diego presentation.
Exhibition documentary publication by the Riverside Museum Press
Showing continuously throughout the exhibition was the film “THE ART OF KEISUKE SERIZAWA – Master of Pattern and Color.” The artist’s son, Professor Chosuke Serizawa, a renowned archeologist and Director of the Serizawa Keisuke Art and Craft Museum, presented an illustrated lecture on the life and work of his father on the day of the exhibition’s opening to the public.
A Mingei International exhibition documentary videotape, made possible by an anonymous foundation, was nominated for a Pacific southwest Regional Emmy Award.