The first ever exhibition of Taki Katei’s work outside of Japan is coming to Liverpool’s World Museum

This October, World Museum will display the first ever exhibition of Taki Katei’s work outside Japan as part of the UK-Japan Season of Culture.

Once a celebrated artist in Tokyo, Taki Katei (1830–1901) had the honour of his paintings being displayed in the imperial court, and his impressive works travelled to international expositions.

After his death, one of his pupils, Ishibashi Kazunori (1876–1928), took charge of a large group of sketches and brought them to Britain when he came here to study in 1907. Drawing on Nature will show a selection from Katei’s collection of drawings that he used for teaching, for preparing some of his major commissions, and as aides-mémoire.

Born in Edo (today’s Tokyo) in 1830, Katei was one of the most successful artists of his generation and a master of the genre of bird-and-flower painting. In 1893, in recognition of his service to the imperial court, Katei was awarded the title “Imperial Household Artist.”

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Despite Katei’s fame during his lifetime, after the early 1920s, he largely disappeared from art history until the recent research of guest curator, Dr Rosina Buckland. “Taki Katei was a fascinating figure, straddling the divide between traditional and modern in late 19th-century Japan. It is remarkable that the archive of such an important artist is available to us in Liverpool. We can learn so much about his process of making, and also about the role of his student, Ishibashi Kazunori, in bringing these drawing to Britain.”

Revealing the techniques of this great artist, the exhibition will examine Katei’s unparalleled ability to represent nature, landscape and – most commonly – close-up views of birds and flowers. The works on show will demonstrate his skill and creativity, while also revealing how centuries-old Chinese culture shaped his artistic vision. The focus of the exhibition will be Katei’s ‘preparatory’ drawings, transporting the visitor to his studio and giving a first-hand exposé of how he created his paintings.

Emma Martin, Senior Curator, World Museum, said:

“We are excited to be showing the highlights of this important collection for the first time. We hope visitors have the same reaction as we did as we unrolled each piece for the first time, and full, flouncy peonies in blushing pinks and strutting cockerels with iridescent feathers suddenly unfurled before our eyes. There were gasps of amazement and smiles of delight from members of the team who were unfamiliar with Katei’s work and we knew straight away that these works would make an incredible exhibition.”

Central to the exhibition will be a consideration of Katei’s teaching activities. Separated into five themes, the exhibition looks at the hidden meanings and the symbolism that were prevalent in his works, the techniques he used, and his practice towards perfection.

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With its remarkable Japanese collections of fine swords, decorative metalwork of the Meiji period (1868–1912), lacquerware, carvings and wooden objects, World Museum is uniquely placed to take visitors on a journey through Taki Katei’s stunning work for the first time.

Tickets for this exhibition will be available to purchase online from 22 July and from the World Museum on 4 October, priced at £6 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for 6-17 year olds. Free for under 5s. Members and Patrons of National Museums Liverpool receive free entry to the exhibition and can purchase tickets online or over the phone from 17 July. See more info here.

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