Eastern Exchanges: East Asian Craft and Design

About

See the amazing history and future of East Asian craft and design and its global influence in this exhibition inspired by objects from Manchester Art Gallery’s collection. The show features over 1,500 years of the rich craft heritage of Japan, China and Korea: ceramics, metalwork, furniture, lacquer, textiles and sculpture, with exhibits ranging from magnificent court treasures, to masterpieces by contemporary makers. 

With loans from leading public collections and contemporary makers and collectors, this show is a unique opportunity to explore how contemporary designer-makers keep the distinctive style of the East fresh and surprising whilst remaining true to traditional values of superb craftsmanship and profound philosophy.

There will be opportunities to see historic works from Manchester’s collection which have not been exhibited for over 30 years, including an exquisite early nineteenth century Japanese lacquer norimono (travelling carriage), sumptuous Chinese Imperial robes and hand-chiselled Japanese tsuba (sword guards), which are all being conserved especially for this show. Contemporary work includes Fumio Enomoto’s ‘Weave Stool’, commissioned specially from the award-winning designer, plus elegant ceramics by Yasuko Sakurai, Gwang Yeol Yu, Jin Ka Lee, Jung Hong Park, Jungwon Park and Jin Eui Kim.