"Timeless Treasures from Alden Library: Ohio University Libraries Annual Calendar” (2019)

Timeless Treasures from Alden Library

Ohio University Libraries Annual Calendar

2019

T

he most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to sumi-e paintings: Each intricate line and every seemingly simple stroke is a critical component to the piece as a whole.

The art of sumi-e painting, which began more than 2,000 years ago, was originally practiced by Buddhist monks, which is why it is deeply rooted in the Zen tradition.

Like the state of meditation, an important aspect of the Zen tradition, sumi-e paintings include no unnecessary details. Using only black ink, often made from Japanese pine branches, and animal-fur brushes, the sumi-e artist creates intricate designs on white rice paper. Each sumi-e artist signs his or her painting with a personalized red insignia.

Once the brush has made a mark on the rice paper, the mark cannot be erased or undone; therefore, emphasis is placed on the beauty of each individual stroke. Talented artists can use various tones, shades and thicknesses to create the final image.

During his more than 50 years in Japan, American-born Frederick Harris mastered the art of sumi-e painting.

“The sumi-e artist achieves two effects with each brush stroke,” wrote Harris years ago. “The first is to make a mark of grey as black. This, in turn, removes white space, [but] how to use the white space as if it were painted is the challenge.”

Because sumi-e art takes a “less is more” approach, it is often the patient viewer of the art that is most rewarded by the sumi-e style.

In the early 1990s, Harris began donating his collection to the Ohio University Libraries. After his death in 2010, the Libraries received many of Harris’ sumi-e masterpieces to be displayed and used by students for class projects and graduate and undergraduate research.

This calendar includes just a sampling of his beautiful watercolor and sumi-e paintings for you to enjoy.

Sumi-e Paintings

By Amelia Kibbe

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D

r. Frederick Harris understood the importance of special collections to Ohio University Libraries. Harris, a well-known sumi-e and watercolor artist, began donating his collection of art and rare books to the Libraries in the early 1990s.

The collection includes Harris’ sketchbooks of watercolor and sumi-e paintings, as well as a wide variety of other treasured art objects, said Michele Jennings, art librarian.

About Artist Frederick Harris

By Amelia Kibbe

“The Harris collection includes not only Japanese rare books but also Frederick Harris’ incomparable creative output and [a] collection of ceramics—the diversity of this collection not only underscores Harris’ artistic legacy, but also encourages art researchers to further engage with the relationship between image and text, [and the] printed word and art object,” said Jennings.

Harris, an American who spent more than 50 years in Japan dedicated to his art, has his artwork displayed at many prominent Tokyo museums and government buildings. During his time in Japan, he founded and ran The Design Group, a Tokyo-based interior design firm; served as the president of the Tokyo American Club and the U.S. Navy League; and joined the exclusive Gendai Suiboku-Ga Kyokai, a sumi-e painting association, where he served as director.

One of Harris’ greatest achievements is being decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun 4th class, Gold Rays with Rosette medal by the emperor of Japan.

Harris was invited to teach summer painting classes in Athens, which led to him helping to create a studyabroad program in Japan for Ohio University students.

In recognition of Harris’ dedication to the University, Ohio University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1997, and in 2004, the University Libraries named its fine arts library, “The Frederick and Kazuko Harris Fine Arts Library” to honor Harris and his wife, Kazuko.

“Donors like Frederick and Kazuko Harris allow the Libraries to offer students and faculty unique and enriching teaching and learning experiences while ensuring that collections maintain their integrity and are preserved for generations,” Jennings said.

After Harris passed away in 2010, the Libraries received much more of his collection, which has been used in classrooms and for research projects by both undergraduate and graduate students.

“In the Frederick and Kazuko Harris Fine Arts Library, we are able to offer students, faculty and community members access to our collection of art, architecture and design publications. But being able to interact and handle rare manuscripts, objects, and other primary sources present research and instructional opportunities that are unmatched,” said Jennings.

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