This exhibition walks audiences through the pre-history of Ukiyo-e to its contemporary effects. The exhibition will examine the emergence of Ukiyo-e during the early Edo period, as well as go into depth about different artists, their inspirations and motivations to participate in the creations of Ukiyo-e. Detaily, the audience will also be able to appreciate signature pieces like the “Great Waves and “Mitsukini Defying the Skeleton” and to develop new understandings about Ukiyo-e through less famous artists’ works. It starts with the inception of Ukiyo-e prints in the late 17th century, and follows their development through the peak period in the 18th century, into the late flowering period in the 19th century, and then their introduction to the western world in the late period. This exhibition introduces the impact of Ukiyo-e on the western world. How did impressionists change their artistic preferences and combine this Asian elements with the western art? The exhibition will include paintings by Manet, Monet, and Mary Cassatt etc, to examine the influences. It then goes on to look at modern conceptions of Ukiyo-e such as shin-haga (new prints) in the late 1800’s and early 1900s. Finally, it looks at current living artists who draw inspiration from Ukiyo-e and the Edo period, such as Takashi Murakami.
