Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Summer 2019 by Asian Art Museum

SUMMER 2019 MEMBERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; MAGAZINE

IN THE MOOD FOR ART We spotted filmmaker Wong Kar-wai (left, with Director Jay Xu) slipping into the Kimono Refashioned galleries back in February. You probably know him as the premier auteur of the Hong Kong Second Wave, maker of such stylish films as “In the Mood for Love” and “The Grandmaster.” But did you know he is also a noted fashion aficionado? In 2015, he served as artistic director of China: Through the Looking Glass, an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute that traced the influence of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion.

IN THIS ISSUE

FROM THE DIRECTOR 25

CONTENTS 2

Museum News

Exhibition: Tattoos in Japanese Prints

Membership

Exhibition: Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection

Society for Asian Art

Exhibition: The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien

Museum Store

Events

Scene at the Asian

Behind the Scenes

Annual Report

Contemporary Perspectives

Event Calendars

Coming Soon

MAGAZINE STAFF

Transforming the Museum

SUMMER 2019 VOL. VIII ISSUE 3 Members’ Magazine

Editor-in-Chief

Tim Hallman

Deputy Chief of Philanthropy

Nada B. Perrone Creative Director

Kate Ritchey Sheng Moua

Writer / Editor

Nina Lewallen Hufford Museum Photographer

Kevin Candland

Jay Xu

SEE YOU AT THE MUSEUM!

Front cover: Actors Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Asahina Tobei, Nakamura Shikan IV as Washi no Chokichi, and Sawamura Tossho II as Yume no Ichibei (detail), 1868, by Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900). Woodblock print; ink and colors on paper. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.41710a-c. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Back cover: Eagles Perching on a Pine Tree (detail), 1986, by Au Ho-nien (Chinese, b. 1935). Ink and colors on paper. Collection of Yicui Shantang. © Au Ho-nien.

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Art Director / Graphic Designer

Published by the Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art & Culture 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 415.581.3500 · www.asianart.org Copyright © 2019 Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

This summer’s bounty of special exhibitions offers a tantalizing foretaste of the future museum experience. With the opening of the spacious galleries in the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion in 2020, we will be able to present multiple major special exhibitions simultaneously. This summer, you can whet your appetite with three delicious, intimate exhibitions that bridge tradition and innovation. Tattoos in Japanese Prints will appeal to lovers of ukiyo-e prints as well as anyone interested in body art. The exhibition showcases superb 19thcentury woodblock prints that have inspired tattoo styles and motifs for more than 200 years. The site-specific installation Connection interprets traditional Japanese art through a contemporary lens. Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, who comes from a long line of distinguished bamboo artists, creates large-scale works that extend his craft into the world of contemporary installation art. Finally, The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien puts the spotlight on scroll paintings that consciously blend traditional Chinese ink-wash techniques with Western aesthetics and abstraction. The artist brings a modern sensibility and poetic approach to his depictions of figures, landscapes and wildlife. We hope you will visit the museum this summer to partake in this seasonal plenty.

MUSEUM NEWS

CONSERVING THE FORBIDDEN CITY

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Left: Head of Conservation Kathy Z. Gillis with students from the CRAFT program in Beijing. Right: Original speckled bamboo from Qianlong Garden (top) and faux speckled bamboo created by CRAFT students as part of the restoration project (bottom).

For the museum’s Head of Conservation Kathy Z. Gillis, Beijing’s

using original techniques to restore lost sections of the architectural

Forbidden City was not so forbidden: last fall, she had access to

interiors of the Qianlong Garden buildings. For one project, CRAFT

the immense imperial palace complex four days a week, including

students helped create faux speckled bamboo to replace missing

one day when it was closed to the public.

pieces of speckled bamboo, which is no longer plentiful.

Gillis spent three months in Beijing as the conservator-in-

In the Lodge of Bamboo Fragrance, a section of a hallway

residence with CRAFT (Conservation Resources for Architectural

wall decorated with veneers of various woods in a pattern known

Interiors, Furniture and Training), a program of World Monuments

as “cracked ice” had fallen. Students in the CRAFT program

Fund. CRAFT is an educational program designed to meet critical

took on the task of collecting the pieces, cleaning off old glue,

conservation needs in China by pairing conservation work with

reconstructing the pattern on a flat surface and re-adhering the

education and training.

pieces to the wall. “They quickly learned the difference between

the ‘perfect world’ of working in a sterile conservation laboratory and

Gillis introduced Chinese students to Western methods of

cultural heritage conservation, which relies on extensive scientific

the ‘real world’ of working on-site in a historic building!” says Gillis.

analysis and a less-is-more approach. She worked with the students

on several conservation projects focused around the Qianlong

Beijing’s museums. She reports that the “National Museum has its

Garden, a two-acre, 27-building complex in the Forbidden City.

very own Reina the rhino, which is just a bit more fierce-looking

than ours.” n

Gillis and her students collaborated with artisans who are

Gillis also had time to take in the vast treasures housed in

MUSEUM NEWS

ART, FASHION AND FRIENDS A gorgeous floral arch framing the grand staircase set the joyful tone for the Art + Fashion Gala and After-Party on Mar. 7, 2019. Gala Chair Michele Alioto welcomed more than 900 guests, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, to the annual celebration. Presented by Chong-Moon and Reiko Takahashi Lee and Vijay and Ram Shriram, the Gala raised $1.5 million in support of the museum. While sipping cocktails, guests marveled at the display of bespoke gowns from seven international designers who were inspired by artworks in the collection. Event sponsor Bulgari paired jewelry with each of the creations. Other highlights of the evening included a fashion show by Shanghai-based designer DAN, a slow-motion photo booth by Samsung, themed beverages (including tea by The Boba Guys) and live music at the festive After-Party. In remarks to guests gathered in the flower-filled tent for S U M M E R 20 19

dinner, Director Jay Xu noted that the night’s theme resonated not only with the exhibition Kimono Refashioned, then on view, but also with the museum’s goal of connecting art to life. “Fashion is self-expression, an artistic language of identity. We want to make Asian art essential for everyone, no matter who you are or where

Gala Chair Michele Alioto and her husband, Joseph Alioto Sr., at the Art + Fashion Gala, Mar. 7, 2019. Photograph by Drew Alitzer.

you come from.” n

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

EXHIBITION

MAY 31 – AUG 18 | OSHER GALLERY

Art Into Life The colorful dragon you saw writhing on the arm of your barista this morning. The bold lion and peonies inked on the torso of that guy at the gym. Maybe the snake circling your own ankle. Did you know tattoos like these can be traced back to a famous series of 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints?

Thirty-eight percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 30 — about

45 million people — have at least one tattoo, although it may seem like even more if you live in the Bay Area. A similar craze for body art hit Japan 200 years ago, when a fashion for elaborate tattoos took hold. This exhibition recounts how largescale, densely composed pictorial tattoos — what we now recognize as a distinctly depicting tattooed heroes of history and myth.

Actors Ichimura Kakitsu IV as Asahina Tobei, Nakamura Shikan IV as Washi no Chokichi, and Sawamura Tossho II as Yume no Ichibei (detail), 1868, by Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900). Woodblock print; ink and colors on paper. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.41710a-c. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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Japanese style — emerged in 19th-century Japan in tandem with woodblock prints

EXHIBITION

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

“…lions, eagles, peonies, dragons, giant snakes, swords. . . . These motifs evoked bravery, valor and strength.”

EXHIBITION

Searching for new subject matter for his prints, artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) hit upon the idea of a print series focused on hero-bandits immortalized in the 14th-century martial-arts novel known as “Water Margin.” Significantly for the story of tattoo art, Kuniyoshi depicted many of the characters with elaborate tattoos, even if in the original text they were not described as having any inked embellishment. Scholars are uncertain whether the series Kuniyoshi created beginning in 1827, One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin, kicked off the 40-year tattoo boom that followed, or if a nascent fad for body art prompted Kuniyoshi’s artwork. Prints by Kuniyoshi and others who embraced this new genre of warrior prints (musha-e) probably both inspired and reflected the tattoo trend — art into life and life into art. Tattoos in Japanese Prints uncovers this complex interplay between ink on paper and ink on skin with more than 60 superb prints from the noted collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The exhibition explores the iconography Kuniyoshi and other artists selected for the tattoos in their woodblock prints, which came to adorn the bodies of real-life Japanese urban men, both laborers and dandies: lions, eagles, peonies, dragons, giant snakes,

Kabuki Actor (detail), approx. 1920s. Japan. Collotype; ink on card stock. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Leonard A. Lauder Collection of Japanese Postcards, 2002.7289. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

motifs — still popular today — evoked bravery, valor

TATTOOS IN JAPANESE PRINTS

and strength.

$24.95 Non-Members

swords, the fierce Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo. These

Over time, prints began to blur boundaries of the real and the imaginary by showing figures from Japanese history covered in tattoos they never had in real life, a retroactive refashioning of the heroic body. In a similar vein, some artists portrayed famous Kabuki actors adorned with fashionable body art; these fake tattoos were either painted on the skin or on tightly fitting garments since in real life actors were never tattooed. The vogue for tattoos in Japan lasted until the

$22.45 Members store.asianart.org | 415.581.3600 With a comprehensive essay by Sarah E. Thompson, curator of Japanese art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and detailed catalogue entries of nearly 50 artworks, this book tells the fascinating story of how woodblock prints first inspired tattoo artists. It explores the evolving meanings of Japanese tattoos and reveals the tales behind specific motifs. 151 pages, hardcover.

government prohibited them as part of its effort to modernize the country. Woodblock prints are some of the best documentation we have of real-life tattoos models for tattoo artists worldwide today. ■

of 19th-century Japan, and they continue to provide

Tattoos in Japanese Prints is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Presentation is made possible with the generous support of Lucy Sun and Warren Felson. Additional support is provided by the Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation. Left: Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Takemon no Toramatsu (detail), 1863, by Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III; 1786–1864). Woodblock print; ink and colors on paper. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.40338. Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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early Meiji period (1868–1912), when the Japanese

EXHIBITION

TANABE CHIKUUNSAI IV CONNECTION

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

MAY 31–AUG 25 | LEE GALLERY

Japanese artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV pushes the boundaries of

bamboo recycled from previous works in Paris, New York and Sao

bamboo art, dramatically breaking the scale that we expect of

Paulo, Brazil. The title of this new sculpture, Connection, honors

the medium. Soaring, twisting forms stretch from floor to ceiling

the deep bond he feels with his family lineage of bamboo artists.

to create immersive environments that evoke the bamboo forest

where these works began their lives.

with the museum and Lloyd Cotsen (1929–2017), a champion

Born Tanabe Takeo in 1973 into a renowned family of

of Japanese bamboo art who generously donated his extensive

bamboo artists, Chikuunsai learned the techniques of bamboo

collection to the museum in 2006. It was a competition sponsored

weaving from his father and grandfather and the spirit of his

by Cotsen in the early 1990s that solidified Chikuunsai’s resolve

art from his mother. He was bestowed with the artist name

to follow in his family’s footsteps to become an artist. He didn’t

Chikuunsai, meaning “master of the bamboo clouds,” in 2017.

win that year, but in 2007 he was awarded the Lloyd Cotsen

Bamboo Prize.

His artistic process begins when he selects and harvests the

Connection also recognizes Chikuunsai’s long relationship

best stalks of tiger bamboo, which grows only in the mountains

of Kochi prefecture. He then bends and plaits thin strips of

represent a starting point for me,” says the artist. Stop by the

bamboo into towering installations, later dismantling the works

museum between May 18 and 25 for a possible glimpse of

and carefully cleaning the bamboo strips. Finally, he recycles the

Connection taking form in Lee Gallery and then visit the completed

bamboo into a new sculpture.

installation to see how far he has come.

In May, Chikuunsai and three apprentices will transform

the museum’s Lee Gallery with a site-specific installation using

“In this way, San Francisco and the Asian Art Museum

See page 14 for public events related to this exhibition,

including a workshop with the artist. n

Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection is organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Presentation is made possible with the generous support of Ken Lamb, Alexandra and Dennis Lenehan, and the James M. Gerstley Fund for International Exhibitions. This exhibition is a part of Today's Asian Voices, which is made possible with the generous support of Salle E. Yoo and Jeffrey P. Gray. Top: Connection: Origin, 2017, by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV (Japanese, b. 1973). Installation at Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery, Brussels, Belgium. Photograph by Tadayuki Minamoto. Courtesy of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV. Right: GODAI (The Five Elements), 2016, by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV (Japanese, b. 1973). Installation at Musée Guimet, Paris, France. Photograph by Tadayuki Minamoto. Courtesy of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.

EXHIBITION

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ASIAN ART MUSEUM

EXHIBITION

MAY 31â&#x20AC;&#x201C;AUG 18 | HAMBRECHT GALLERY

EXHIBITION

The artist Au Ho-nien brings a modern sensibility to traditional Chinese ink-wash painting. He uses bold brushwork to convey a freedom of expression central to his philosophy: broad strokes capture sea spray, unfinished strokes suggest figures gathered in a bamboo grove, broken strokes evoke a rocky mountainside and fluid strokes render a galloping horse.

Au, now in his eighties and living in Taiwan, is a leading figure of the Lingnan school

of painting, which originated in southern China in the late 19th century. Its founders were disillusioned with what they saw as the stale tradition of Chinese painting, especially its subjects detached from daily life and a lack of modeling with light and shade. They looked to Western realism and the practice of sketching from life as a way to revitalize Chinese art. Second- and third-generation Lingnan school painters, like Au, continued to push the boundaries of traditional ink painting by incorporating abstraction and other aspects of Western art.

The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien presents 22 vertical scroll paintings by Au, nine

created especially for this exhibition, that exemplify the Lingnan’s school’s fusion of Chinese and Western approaches. Organized into three sections — figures, landscapes and wildlife — the paintings exhibit the rough, fluid brushwork and alternation of heavy black washes with subtle tones that are the hallmarks of Au’s style.

Au’s work often emphasizes poetic expression over precise physical description.

He draws attention to the temperament rather than the likeness of the figures in his paintings by only lightly sketching faces and bodies. Similarly, the loose brushstrokes of his seascapes and mountain views incorporate an element of abstraction into his depictions of the natural world. Au’s paintings of animals — from mythical dragons ascending toward the heavens to a workaday buffalo in a rice paddy — rely on both naturalism and symbolism for their expressive force. “Painting conveys poetry, just as poetry embodies painting,” says Au, who through

teaching and exhibiting his work worldwide is transmitting the eclectic ethos of the Lingnan school to the 21st century. n

Tao Yuanming Admiring a Pine Tree and Chrysanthemums (detail), 2018, by Au Ho-nien (Chinese, b. 1935). Ink and colors on paper. Collection of Yicui Shantang. © Au Ho-nien.

The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien is organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Presentation is made possible with the generous support of The Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Fund for Excellence in Exhibitions and Presentations and The Tan Family Education Foundation. This exhibition is a part of Today's Asian Voices, which is made possible with the generous support of Salle E. Yoo and Jeffrey P. Gray. Additional support is provided by the Chinese Arts Association of San Francisco, Angela and Gwong-Yih Lee, and Lillian M. Wu and Ronald Y. Wu. Left: Lion Companionship (detail), 1963, by Au Ho-nien (Chinese, b. 1935) and Chao Shao-an (Chinese, 1905–1998). Ink and colors on paper. Collection of Yicui Shantang. © Au Ho-nien. Top: Gulls Soaring over Sea Spray (detail), 1986, by Au Ho-nien (Chinese, b. 1935). Ink and colors on paper. Collection of Yicui Shantang. © Au Ho-nien.

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EVENTS

JAPANESE TATTOOS THEN AND NOW

Above: Don Ed Hardy, photograph by Francesca Passalacqua. Taki Kitamura, photograph by E.J. Casabar. Mary Joy Scott, courtesy of the artist. Junii Shimada © YojimbosAdventures.com.

The art of Japanese tattooing has come a long way from its origins

books on the art, history and culture of Japanese tattoos.

in an insular, premodern Japan. Today, artists from across the globe

practice this style, inking their clients with motifs made popular in

needles to demonstrate their skills. Spend the afternoon watching

the hedonistic “floating world” and transmitted across the centuries

Kitamura, Scott and other tattoo virtuosi as they inscribe original

by bold, colorful woodblock prints.

designs — and designs inspired by works in the museum collection

“A rigorous study of Japanese art — all of it, with a focus on

Edo-period woodblock prints — shaped my work,” says tattoo artist

The following month, on Jul. 13, guest tattoo artists get out their

— on live models, the artists’ current clients, using electric and handengraving techniques (sorry, no volunteers needed). n

Taki Kitamura. “And I think it’s safe to say this applies for everyone doing Japanese tattoos.”

This summer, Kitamura and other top local tattoo artists convene

for conversations and demonstrations that connect our current tattoo culture to the mid-19th-century tattoo boom in Japan.

On Jun. 13, Bay Area’s best — Don Ed Hardy, Kitamura, Mary

Joy Scott and Junii Shimada — come together to talk about Japanese

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

tattooing, past and present. Hardy, who studied printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute and trained in Japan with classical tattoo master Horihide, is uniquely positioned to discuss the crossover between printmaking and tattooing. Scott is one of the practitioners at Hardy’s San Francisco studio, Tattoo City; like Hardy, she studied art and still draws and paints on surfaces other than skin. Shimada, co-founder of Diamond Tattoo, has unparalleled knowledge of both the Japanese and American tattoo worlds. Kitamura, founder of State of Grace in San Jose, has curated exhibitions and authored

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, Jun 13 | 6:30–7:30 PM Japanese Tattoos: The Visual Splendor of the Floating World Conversation with Don Ed Hardy, Taki Kitamura, Mary Joy Scott, Junii Shimada $5 plus admission Saturday, Jun 15 | 1–4 PM Ukiyo-e Printing Workshop with Artist Tomoko Murakami $20 plus admission; Preregistration required Saturday, Jul 13 | 1–4 PM Live Tattooing at the Asian Art Museum Free with admission

EVENTS

TALKS, TASTINGS AND TATTOO TALES THURSDAYS AT 6:30 PM

SAMSUNG HALL

$5 MEMBERS, $15 GENERAL, $13 FOR STUDENTS, SENIORS*

Foodie culture and tattoo culture: two cornerstones of the Bay Area zeitgeist circa 2019. Explore connections between the two with the Thursday night series At the Table. At events inspired by the books “Knives and Ink” and “Knives and Needles” (forthcoming), meet some of the tattooed chefs and foodie tattoo artists featured in both books. Watch cooking demonstrations (and maybe get a taste) while hearing about the fascinating stories behind the tattoos sported by our guests. At the Table launches on Jun. 22 with the author of “Knives and Needles,” Molly Kitamura, and tattoo artist Chad Koeplinger. Kitamura discusses the inspiration behind her book and shows us her method for making chicken korma. In July, meet Felicity Chen, co-founder of Potli, a socially responsible cannabis company producing all-natural honey, and chef and photographer Monica Lo of Sous Weed, a blog that promotes the use of cannabis as a culinary ingredient (it’s a vegetable!). August brings us an evening with Tim Archuleta, executive chef at Ichi Sushi. He will share his expert knowledge about the history of sushi and tell us his tattoo tale. n

AT THE TABLE Thursday, Jun 20 Molly Kitamura & Chad Koeplinger

Thursday, Jul 11 Monica Lo & Felicity Chen

*includes museum admission. Book cover design by Schiffer Publis. Photograph by John Agcaoili. Molly Kitamura, photograph by E.J. Casabar. Thursday Nights are supported by Wells Fargo.

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Thursday, Aug 15 Tim Archuleta

EVENTS

ARTIST TANABE CHIKUUNSAI IV AND THE MAGIC OF BAMBOO

Tanabe Chikuunsai IV in a tiger-bamboo grove in Susaki, Kochi prefecture, Japan. Photograph by Tadayuki Minamoto. Courtesy of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.

“It was like magic, watching my grandfather transform

installations at the Musée Guimet in Paris, the Domaine de

[bamboo] into a basket,” says Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, a fourth-

Chaumont-sur-Loire in France and the Metropolitan Museum of

generation Japanese bamboo artist who will create a site-

Art in New York — where The New York Times’ Roberta Smith

specific installation at the museum in May (page 8). Chikuunsai

admired Chikuunsai’s “wickedly cavorting” sculptural forms —

also creates magic, weaving together past and present into

demonstrate his ambition for the art and craft of bamboo. n

astonishing room-size sculptures.

The artist joins us on May 30 to discuss how he uses

the techniques of his forebears, as well as new methods of fashioning rare tiger bamboo, to create works that have captivated audiences across the globe. He will address the

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

sources, process and meaning of his work. On May 31, he will offer a bamboo-weaving workshop.

“Since I was born, I was surrounded by bamboo,”’

Chikuunsai says. He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in sculpture and then trained in bamboo at a noted center of the craft in Beppu, Oita prefecture.

While his practice includes the production of smaller

sculptural works and traditional flower baskets, Chikuunsai has also forged new directions in bamboo art. Recent large-scale

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, May 30 | 7–8:30 PM Artist Talk: Tanabe Chikuunsai IV Samsung Hall Free with museum admission Friday, May 31 | 1–4 PM Artist Workshop with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV Preregistration required; $10 Members, $20 Non-Members Visit www.asianart.org/events for more information.

BEHIND THE SCENES

A TACTILE APPROACH “How can we provide multisensory experiences?” This was one of

expert in accessible technology, to describe three artworks in the

the many questions that the Asian Art Museum’s Accessibility Task

exhibition using tactile renderings and audio descriptions. Kiosks

Force asked itself when it formed in 2016. The aim of this group

paired braille explanatory texts with 3D-printed reproductions of

of museum professionals is to create a welcoming atmosphere for

the artwork; these were designed with various textures to represent

everyone and to empower all visitors to drive their own explorations.

the different colors of the vibrantly hued paintings. The mobile app

The task force began by inviting members of the access

hosted a descriptive narration of each of the works.

community to visit the museum and provide feedback on their

experiences, which led to several initiatives. Training for staff and

autonomy to be present with an image and drink in as much detail

volunteers on serving visitors with visible and invisible disabilities

as I liked.”

kicked off early this year. At our annual Japanese New Year Bell-

Ringing Ceremony, we invited blind and low-vision visitors to don

the artworks in the collection in new ways,” says Deborah

conservation-friendly gloves and touch the 16th-century bronze bell.

Clearwaters, director of education and interpretation. “We are

For the recent exhibition Painting Is My Everything, museum

finding that tapping into all the senses can improve the museum

staff collaborated with Lighthouse for the Blind and Rico Chan, an

“Focusing on accessibility provides inspiration for interpreting

experience for everyone.” n

A visitor to the Painting Is My Everything exhibition interacting with a tactile-experience kiosk. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

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Visitor Maia Scott reports, “I felt like everyone else, having the

CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

MEET ABBY CHEN In January, Abby Chen joined the museum as head of the

and across space; they can help us understand the intentions

contemporary art department. An internationally recognized

of artists of the past — the creative impulse remains the same.

curator, writer and community organizer, Chen came to the museum after a dozen years as artistic director of the Chinese Culture Center and Foundation of San Francisco. She is known for her writings on urbanism, gender, sexuality and diaspora,

knowledge. There are opportunities for dialogue across departments, creating shows in collaboration with multiple

How do you see the role of your department within

important contribution to the Asian American narrative.

What makes our department different is that for the most part we partner with living artists who are creating new work and offering commentary on today’s society. The contemporary department is also the only one at the museum that is not categorized by region: it is pan-Asian, bridging geographies

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

The collection is a tremendous resource for building new

and for her risk-taking exhibitions and public art projects.

the museum?

What most excites you about joining the Asian Art Museum?

curators. And I think we are uniquely positioned to make an

What ideas are you thinking about for your first exhibitions at the museum? I’m considering several directions. Many artists in Asia have been engaging with feminism and LGBTQ rights over the past decade. Curating within that phenomenon will not only be

across Asia and the Asian diaspora.

relevant, but urgent in terms of connecting to our reality here

How do you see contemporary work relating to the 6,000

curated: what are the overlooked places, issues, approaches,

years of art in the museum collection? I think we can add to that narrative. I want to suture the perceived gap between the art of the present and the past. I am excited to work with artists who want to engage through time

in the United States. I am also looking at what is not being artists? How can we give voice to the unheard and make them part of the story of Asian art? This will be a critical focus of my curatorial work. I look forward to joining my colleagues in bringing these ideas to life. n

The Asian Art Museum’s contemporary art team. L to R: Megan Merritt, project manager for contemporary art; Abby Chen, senior associate curator and head of contemporary art; Dr. Karin Oen, associate curator of contemporary art; and Marc Mayer, assistant curator of contemporary art and programs. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

COMING SOON

CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS

NOGUCHI AND HASEGAWA IN POSTWAR JAPAN SEP 27–DEC 8, 2019

OSHER AND HAMBRECHT GALLERIES

Explore the friendship and creative kinship between Isamu Noguchi and Saburo Hasegawa, artists who shared a deep interest in traditional Japanese culture and modernist abstraction.

The presentation at the Asian Art Museum is made possible by The Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Fund for Excellence in Exhibitions and Presentations and Lucy Sun and Warren Felson. This exhibition is a part of the Asian American Experience, which is made possible with the generous support of Glen S. and Sakie T. Fukushima, an anonymous donor in honor of Ambassador and Mrs. Sampson Shen, and Claudine Cheng. Additional support is provided by John and Carole Harlow. Above left: Calligraphics, 1957, by Isamu Noguchi (American, 1904–1988). Iron, wood, rope, and metal. The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York. © The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York / ARS. Photograph by Kevin Noble. Above right: The Butterfly Dream — from Chuang-tze, 1955, by Saburo Hasegawa (Japanese, 1906–1957). Ink on paper. Hasegawa Family Collection. © Estate of Saburo Hasegawa. Photo courtesy of the Hasegawa Family Collection.

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Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan is organized by The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York, and made possible through lead support from the Terra Foundation for American Art. Transportation assistance has been provided by ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.).

TRANSFORMING THE MUSEUM

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH TRANSFORMATION PROJECT SCRUM The Asian Art Museum has a new ritual: a 15-minute “stand-up” every day at noon. This is not a chance for staff to try out their latest jokes. Rather, it’s agile management at its best: a stand-up, or scrum, is a short coordination meeting where the participants stand in order to keep meetings short and on point.

This stand-up, nicknamed TP Scrum, is a chance for representatives from key museum departments to work collaboratively to identify and proactively solve any issues related to the transformation project.

Any construction project requires the careful orchestration of parts, from

delivery of materials to sequencing of subcontractors. What makes the museum’s project more challenging is the mandate to keep regular museum operations up and running during the entire process; the museum needs to hum along seamlessly for visitors and staff alike and the collection must be safeguarded above all.

What happens when construction materials arrive at the same time as artwork

for a new exhibition? How do we coordinate the removal of construction debris with the arrival of school groups? These are some of the issues that TP Scrum has addressed since the closure of the Hyde St. loading dock and the transfer of all shipping and receiving to the front doors of the museum.

During work on the third-floor collection galleries, reports Head of Preparation

Patrick Gillespie, “we had to coordinate moving 4,000 square feet of material three times to accommodate the refinishing of the floors, positioning of new casework, installation of new security cameras and other minor construction.”

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

One of the biggest challenges turned out to be an opportunity. Over the summer,

Swinerton Builders had to shut off power to the building for four hours in the early evening in order to install new switches. All essential systems were transferred to the back-up generator, giving security, IT, facilities and engineering the chance to test switching between main and emergency power. Planning for this power shut-off, which took place without a hitch, took many weeks of collaboration across departments.

When all goes well, as it has so far, the behind-the-scenes work of these

dedicated professionals is invisible. We thank them for ensuring the smooth unfolding of the transformation project. n

TP SCRUM Kim Bush Tomio Director of Museum Services Joanne Chou Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer Erik Cline Director of Facilities and Operations Patrick Gillespie Head of Preparation Tim Hallman Director of Communications & Business Development Minky Lew Construction Project Coordinator Calen McEldowney Director of Museum Security Services Nada Perrone Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer Caryl Sherpa Construction Project Manager Ko Ko Zin Chief Engineer

TRANSFORMING THE MUSEUM

The aluminum substrate of the East West Bank Art Terrace is prepped for flooring.

S U M M E R 20 1 9

After upgrades, the Koret Education Center is ready to welcome learners of all ages. Photograph Â© Asian Art Museum.

TRANSFORMING THE MUSEUM

FLORENCE FANG

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

CONNECTING CULTURES

Longtime Asian Art Museum supporter and former trustee Florence

Fang immigrated to San Francisco with her husband in 1960, the year

the museum by supporting the current transformation project. In the

the city passed a bond measure to create the museum. “We always

1990s, they sponsored the visually striking treasure wall of Chinese

considered the Asian Art Museum to be one of the real treasures of

ceramics that served as a centerpiece of Gruhn Court in the museum’s

San Francisco,” says Fang. “It is an important bridge between the

former home and was then relocated to the loggia in the new building.

United States and Asia and a symbol of cultural exchange between

nations.” Her sponsorship of the Fang Family Launchpad (page 21)

Launchpad, which as part of the transformation will highlight new

will strengthen the museum’s mission to connect cultures through art.

works and emerging artists. We wanted to do something forward-

looking to be part of the bright new future of the Asian Art Museum.”

A force in the San Francisco media world, Fang was the publisher

Fang and her family wanted to continue their involvement with

“We were thrilled with the idea of supporting the Fang Family

of Asian Week, The Independent and the San Francisco Examiner. She

has served on the National U.S. Small Business Commission and

from the past,” notes Fang. “Now contemporary Asian art is a

the California Commission on the Status of Women and is active in

worldwide phenomenon. I’m especially excited about plans to use

organizations that connect China, her birthplace, with her adopted

the Fang Family Launchpad as a creative bridge for global cultural

country through education and exchange.

exchange, sharing art and ideas across the world.” n

Florence and John Ta-Chuan Fang and family in a vintage photograph.

“The term ‘Asian art’ no longer refers just to treasured objects

TRANSFORMING THE MUSEUM

INTRODUCING LAUNCHPAD The museum’s elegant Beaux-Arts loggia is becoming a

and American Jewish ancestry, Amighi uses light as a primary

springboard for contemporary art. Building on the success of

medium. For Launchpad, she will install a work based on the Taj

Collected Letters, the ongoing installation by Liu Jianhua that attests

Mahal, one of the world’s most iconic Islamic buildings.

to the power of new work in a historical setting, the museum is

dedicating another zone of the loggia to contemporary works.

a sculptural diptych “drawn” with industrial materials, including

Debuting in early 2020, the Fang Family Launchpad is

chains and fiberglass mesh, and illuminated by strong light. With

both a physical space and a program highlighting emerging and

one hanging structure constructed of clear two-dimensional

midcareer artists with rotating, site-adapted installations. With

fiberglass panels and its twin made from black mesh, Amighi

Launchpad — generously underwritten by longtime museum

evokes a history that never came to pass: the pairing of an all-

supporter Florence Fang — you will always be able to experience

black mausoleum for Shah Jahan with the white Taj Mahal built

work by contemporary artists from Asia and the Asian diaspora when

as his wife’s tomb.

you visit the museum, a key goal of the transformation project.

Resembling a pair of chandeliers, My House, My Tomb is

My House, My Tomb is an apt first installation for Launchpad,

as its dramatic shadows create an interplay with the surrounding architecture, itself strikingly illuminated, forging relationships

religious architecture. Born in 1974 in Iran of Persian Zoroastrian

between planar geometry and three-dimensional space. n

My House, My Tomb, 2015, by Afruz Amighi (American, b. Iran, 1974). Steel, fiberglass, mesh, chain, and light. Courtesy of the artist.

SSUPMRM IN EG R 20 1 9

The first artist invited to interact with the space is Brooklyn-

based Afruz Amighi, who makes work inspired by monumental

MEMBERSHIP

FAMILY PASS

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

PASSING ALONG KNOWLEDGE

Museum storyteller Janie Eddleman likes to end her Animal

With the Family Pass, students get to share their newfound

Tales tours in front of the wall of Qing dynasty treasures.

knowledge with family and friends by bringing them to the

“Look at all these beautiful objects fit for an emperor,”

museum free of charge. “Who would you bring? You can show

she recently told a rapt group of second-graders. “If you could

them your favorite artwork and maybe tell one of the stories you

take one home, which would you choose?” The children’s eyes

heard today. Maybe you can teach your guests to remember

roamed the wall of treasures. “You can carry that object home

their favorites, too.”

in your mind. Look carefully.” Then she asked them to think of

one word to describe their selections.

last peek at their precious treasure, to remember where it was

on the wall so they could find it when they came back.

One at a time, the children pointed to their chosen objects

As they left the gallery, she asked her charges to take one

and shared their word. Maya stood up first and pointed to a

gilded ewer and said, “gold.” Brandon pointed to the large

the Family Pass possible. To learn more about how you can

dark-blue vase with brilliant orange goldfish and said, “fish.”

make a difference in the lives of students like these, please call

415.581.3794 or email jadecircle@asianart.org. n

Janie then gave each of the students a Family Pass.

Membership in Jade Circle and Nexus make programs like

Children enjoying Collected Letters, 2016, by Liu Jianhua (Chinese, b. 1962). Porcelain, steel, and monofilament. Asian Art Museum, Acquisition made possible by the Society for Asian Art in honor of the Asian Art Museum’s 50th Anniversary, F2016.2. © Liu Jianhua. Photograph © Asian Art Museum. General support for education is provided by the Dhanam Foundation, the Koret Foundation, the John & Marcia Goldman Foundation, Dodge & Cox, The Elizabeth E. Bettelheim Family Foundation, and The Joseph & Mercedes McMicking Foundation. Support is also provided by an endowment established by The Hearst Foundations.

MEMBERSHIP

MORE MUSEUM, MORE OPPORTUNITIES, MORE ACCESS The Asian Art Museum isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only thing being transformed. Along with the new space comes a new membership program designed to give you, our members, more of what you want.

This new model, which goes into effect July 2019, is

the result of in-depth member research and your direct feedback through member surveys. We listened to your comments and concerns and learned that you are looking for more opportunities to engage deeply with the museum. In response, we are introducing enhanced benefits, such as more member-only tours, art education classes, private exhibition viewings and early access to reserve discounted tickets for public programs.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also offering new simplified membership

categories to help you find the perfect fit for you.

Be sure to check your mailbox and inbox for details

department at 415.581.3740 or members@asianart.org. n

S U M M E R 20 1 9

Photograph by Jay Jao.

about the new membership program, benefits and pricing. If you have any questions, please contact the membership

MEMBERSHIP

A LASTING LEGACY

NEW ACQUISITIONS IN JAPANESE ART The museum recently added two outstanding Japanese artworks to its collection, the first purchases using funds from a $1 million bequest by founding member Tomoye (Tami) Takahashi (1915–2016). A native San Franciscan and co-founder of the Takahashi Trading Company, Takahashi was a proud supporter of the museum and other cultural and educational organizations. Her generous gift is an apt expression of her deep commitment to fostering an appreciation of Japanese art in the United States.

Last year, with money from the bequest, the museum acquired

Cosmetic Box (tebako) with a Pair of Deer (1946–1949) by Isoi Joshin (1883–1964), adding an example of lacquerwork to its collection of masterworks by 20th-century Japanese artisans recognized as Living National Treasures. The exterior of the box is decorated with a charming autumnal scene of a stag and its mate leaping through a wild meadow. It is a fitting tribute to Takahashi and her husband, whose eponymous store was instrumental in bringing Japanese crafts to the U.S. in the immediate postwar period, when this box was made.

The Tomoye Takahashi Acquisition Fund also enabled the

museum to purchase a first-rate work by the master of Japanese landscape prints, Ando Hiroshige (1797–1858). Awa Province: Whirlpool at Naruto (1853) is recognized as the best design from its series, which presents views of famous places in Japan’s 60-

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

odd provinces. The superior condition of this print, in which the artist captures dramatic waves crashing over rocks beside a churning whirlpool, make it a prized addition to the collection.

We are pleased to honor Takahashi’s memory with these

important works, which will go on view when the Japanese galleries reopen in the fall. Along with future acquisitions through the Tomoye Takahashi Acquisition Fund, they will ensure that you and all of our visitors will have opportunities to study and enjoy unparalleled examples of art from Japan for years to come. n

Above: Cosmetic box (tebako) with a pair of deer, 1946–1949, by Isoi Joshin (Japanese, 1883–1964). Lacquer (kinma). Asian Art Museum, Museum purchase, Tomoye Takahashi Acquisition Fund, 2018.2.a-.b.Photograph © Asian Art Museum. Below: Awa Province: Whirlpool at Naruto, 1853, by Ando Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858). Ink and colors on paper. Asian Art Museum, Museum Purchase, Tomoye Takahashi Acquisition Fund, 2018.1. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

SOCIETY FOR ASIAN ART

SEEKING THE DIVINE

THE LESSER-KNOWN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF ASIA Fall 2019 Arts of Asia Lecture Series For more than 25 years, the Arts of Asia Lecture Series has explored many facets of Asian art, culture and history. Now, for the first time, it will delve into the finer points of religious traditions in Asia, focusing on those that are not well known in the West yet continue to inform contemporary life. The lectures in this series will consider Zoroastrianism in the Iranian world, Manichaeism in Central and East Asia, Bon in Tibet, Mongolian Tengriism, Muism of Korea and folk religions across Asia. Lectures will also explore Daoism in China, Shintoism in Japan and Jainism in India and S U M M E R 20 19

examine more recent traditions such as Sufism and Sikkhism. Please join us for this informative and fascinating journey. This popular lecture series takes place on Fridays, Aug. 23 to Dec. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For ticket information, location and a full list of lecturers and topics, please visit the Top: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto. Bottom: Stone carving of Zoroastrian deity, Persepolis.

Society for Asian Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, www.societyforasianart.org. â&#x2013;

CAFE

SUNDAY NOW CATERS Make your next event memorable with catering by Sunday, the museum cafe helmed by celebrated chef Deuki Hong. Sunday offers formal seated dinners, finger foods for a casual

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

reception, Boba Guys milk tea, and coffee and tea service. n Find out more by contacting Sunday directly at events@thesundaygrp.com.

Photograph by Jennifer Yin.

MUSEUM STORE

A RHINO TO REMEMBER The store has just received a bounty of fun new Reina merchandise for kids, inspired by the museum’s famous ancient bronze rhinoceros from China. Bibs and onesies with Reina emojis will delight the littlest art enthusiasts. Backpacks, T-shirts, caps and socks sporting the rhino’s friendly visage are available in toddler and youth sizes. And kids of all ages will want to snuggle with the cuddly plush Reina, close their eyes and dream of faraway lands. The museum is the perfect place to spark imagination and wonder during the long summer break and these cute Reina souvenirs will ensure that kids will remember their visit for a long time. ■

S U M M E R 20 1 9

Reina bib, onesie, socks and plush, available for purchase in the museum store.

SCENE AT THE ASIAN

3 5

4 1

#ASIANARTMUSEUM

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

@IANTERAOKA

SCENE AT THE ASIAN

SCENE AT THE ASIAN The Village Artist Corner outside the museum came alive over the past months with a series of visually bold and socially aware activations. We especially loved meeting the Indonesian artists who brought their style of street art from Yogyarkarta to San Francisco. Fashion reigned inside the museum, with the stunning designs on view in Kimono Refashioned and the stylish and successful Art + Fashion Gala and After-Party. n

Weaving a collective sculpture at the Village Artist Corner as part of Elizabeth Marley’s Social Basket Case. Photograph © Justin Yee.

Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu and contemporary ink artist Li Huayi in conversation at the Annual Nexus Salon West in Palo Alto. Photograph © Katelyn Tucker Photography.

Artist Marie Applegate’s Urban Jungle of Possibilities at the Village Artist Corner. Photograph © Justin Yee.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed with Asian Art Museum Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu at the Art + Fashion Gala, Mar. 7, 2019. Photograph by Drew Alitzer.

Indonesian artists Ucup and Harind Ndarvati, two of the six Bangkit/Arise artists-inresidence, show off their mural at the Village Artist Corner. Photograph © Justin Yee.

Jen Cheng, Hiroko Sato and Alice So at the Jade Circle exhibition opening and reception celebrating Kimono Refashioned. Photograph © Katelyn Tucker Photography.

S U M M E R 20 1 9

At their annual tea, Gump Society Members visited the photography studio and met Museum Photographer Kevin Candland. Photograph © Katelyn Tucker Photography.

Members enjoying the Jade Circle exhibition opening and reception celebrating Kimono Refashioned. Photograph © Katelyn Tucker Photography.

ANNUAL REPORT

JUL 1, 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JUN 30, 2018

FISCAL YEAR 2018

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

ANNUAL REPORT

DEAR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, Thank you for your part in making the Asian Art Museum a vibrant hub for discovering the magnificent artistic achievements and intriguing history of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous continent. Our 2018 fiscal year was punctuated by major milestones in the project to transform the museum for the 21st century. At the Annual Meeting, we announced For All, the Campaign for the Asian Art Museum, a $90 million campaign to fund the physical expansion of the museum as well as new display strategies and digital technology enhancements that will transform the visitor experience. The unveiling of the design for the new Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion and East West Bank Art Terrace was another major step. Designed by Kulapat Yantrasast and his design firm wHY, these new spaces will make the Asian Art Museum a premiere venue for major exhibitions. With a design both sensitive to existing architectural contexts and bold in its forward-looking expression, the pavilion will be the most visible element of the transformed Asian Art Museum. Finally, we welcomed a new vendor to our cafe space. Sunday, a collaboration between local milk tea favorites Boba Guys and acclaimed chef Deuki Hong, has brought a fresh vibe to the museum in addition a new look and a delicious menu. We know that change can be hard, so we especially appreciate your support over the past year as the museum grows. We cannot wait to share the transformed museum experience with you and all of our audiences. The Koret Education Center is just reopening as we are going to print, the refreshed collection galleries will open this calendar year and you can expect a host of celebrations to mark the opening of the pavilion in spring 2020. In the following pages, we recognize those who have supported the museum over the past year. We are deeply grateful to all those who have joined with us to help make Asian art and culture essential to everyone.

Jay Xu Director and CEO

Akiko Yamazaki Co-Chair, Asian Art Commission and Asian Art Museum Foundation

Lucy Sun Co-Chair, Asian Art Commission and Asian Art Museum Foundation S U M M E R 20 1 9

ANNUAL REPORT

AVERY BRUNDAGE FOUNDERS CIRCLE On the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Asian Art Museum announced the creation of the Avery Brundage Founders Circle to

Fred M. Levin & Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation Lui Foundation Kumar and Vijaya Malavalli Maura and Robert Morey Estate of Forrest S. Mortimer and Stuart M. Harvey

Wallis Foundation Wells Fargo

Alexander Schilling Dr. Stephen A. Sherwin and Mrs. Merrill Randol Sherwin Vijay and Ram Shriram, The Dhanam Foundation*

Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Joan and M. Glenn Vinson Jack and Susy Wadsworth* Phyllis C. Wattis Diane B. Wilsey Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Y. Yang

Fred Eychaner

Richard C. Blum and

Sakurako and William Fisher*

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Richard and Fukan Yen*

Virginia and Timothy Foo

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Jane and Jack Bogart

Tully and Elise Friedman

Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin

Mr. and Mrs. William K. Bowes, Jr.

Richard N. Goldman

The Brayton Wilbur Foundation

Sarah and William Hambrecht

Bank of America

Brooks-Mathews Foundation

Nancy B. Hamon

The Bernard Osher Foundation

Carmen M. Christensen

Marsha Vargas Handley

California Arts Council

Estate of C. Laan Chun

Joan Diehl McCauley 1991 Trust

Columbia Foundation

Henry and Vanessa Cornell

Maryellie and Rupert H. Johnson Jr.

The David and Lucile Packard

Lloyd and Margit Cotsen

Anne and Timothy Kahn

Joan L. Danforth

Kahng Foundation

East West Bank*

Steve and Roberta Denning

The Kuo Family*

The Freeman Foundation

Rajnikant T. and Helen Crane Desai

Mr. and Mrs. Chong-Moon Lee

The Henry Luce Foundation

Dixon and Carol Doll

Doris Shoong Lee and

Institute of Museum and

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Family Foundation

*2018 new members

Theodore Bo Lee

Society for Asian Art

Leslie T. Schilling and

Estate of Masako M. Suzuki

Marjorie Walter Bissinger

Samsung

Estate of Elton L. Puffer

museum celebrated the charter members of

Estate of Ernest and Virginia Esberg

Family Foundation

Target

Rosina and Anthony Sun

Estate of Dorothy J. Bakewell

The Robert H. N. Ho

The Starr Foundation

to the museum totals $1 million or more. The

and entities to the distinguished group.

Endowment for the Humanities

Marianne and Richard H. Peterson

Ji Ing Soong

and continues to welcome new individuals

Koret Foundation National

Suno Kay Osterweis

recognize donors whose cumulative giving

the Avery Brundage Founders Circle in 2016

The Korea Foundation

Tateuchi Foundation

Foundation

Library Services

The William G. Irwin Charity Foundation

ANNUAL REPORT

SU M M E R 20 1 9

ANNUAL REPORT

DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND, EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS The Asian Art Museum gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous annual support for exhibitions, programs and special events. This support, and the support of our membership programs Nexus ($25,000+), Jade Circle ($3,000+), Patron ($1,000+), Contemporary Council and Connoisseurs’ Council, allows us to thrive as a vibrant hub for discovery, education and inspiration. To learn more, please contact the development department at 415.581.3771 or Greg Hunt at ghunt@asianart.org. Major funding is provided annually by the City and County of San Francisco.

$100,000 AND ABOVE Estate of Marion Gleitzman Bacciocco

Richard C. Barker

Kaiser Permanente

Estate of Elton L. Puffer

Thomas and Ellen Bauch

The Ministry of Culture,

Allison and Dan Rose

Patricia and Edwin L. Berkowitz

The Family of Tania Vonelleese

Kathy and Paul Bissinger

Sports and Tourism of the

The William K. Bowes, Jr.

Republic of Korea

Estate of Mrs. Frances Bushell Joan L. Danforth

Target

Seymour Dr. Stephen A. Sherwin and Mrs. Merrill Randol Sherwin

$50,000 to $99,999

Richard C. Blum and The Honorable Dianne Feinstein William Mathews Brooks

Jack and Susy Wadsworth

Selina and Johnson Cha

Ken and Ruth Wilcox

Hope Chen

Anne and Timothy Kahn

Michele and Joseph M. Alioto

Kenneth Family Trust

Yat-Pang and Helina Ying-Fan Au

Jamie and Steve Chen

Mr. and Mrs. Chong-Moon Lee

Cori and Tony Bates

Chen Family Foundation

Doris Shoong Lee* and

Eliza and Dean Cash

Bank of America

Julia K. Cheng

Dixon and Carol Doll

Cisco

Ivy Chenn

C.M. Capital Advisors

Harry and Sandra Cheung

George Fan

East West Bank

Shirley Ross Davis and Paul Sack

Warren Felson and Lucy Sun

The Japan Foundation

Steve and Roberta Denning

Estate of Mrs. Norma Stanberry

Virginia and Timothy Foo

Anonymous

Judith and Robert L. Duffy

Henri and Tomoye Takahashi

Martha Sam Hertelendy

Theodore Bo Lee Kumar and Vijaya Malavalli Nanci Nishimura and Joseph Cotchett ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Suno Kay Osterweis*

Gerson* and Barbara Bakar Foundation

The Bernard Osher Foundation

Charitable Foundation Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang

Family Foundation

Fred Levin & Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation Gorretti Lo Lui John Maa, M.D.

*deceased

Fred Eychaner

$25,000 to $49,999 Betty and Bruce Alberts René Balcer and Carolyn Hsu-Balcer

Reverend Richard G. Fabian and Mr. Stephen Holtzman Sakurako and William Fisher Denise Fitch

ANNUAL REPORT

Michelle and Robert Friend Foundation

$15,000 to $24,999 Rajnikant T. and Helen Crane Desai

Marsha Vargas Handley

Estate of Amy Tamaki Doi

Michael and Ginger Hu

Norman Liang

Kristine Johnson and

Susan and Kevin McCabe

Timothy Dattels Stephen and Choongia Kahng

Kulapat Yantrasast Anonymous (2)

Jennifer Ching-Yun Kao and R. Stanley Williams Bill and Mary Kim

Frederic S. Whitman Trust

Alexandra and Dennis Lenehan

Gagosian Gallery

James D. Marver

Grants for the Arts

Mac and Leslie McQuown

International Association

Constance C. Miller Cathy and Howard Moreland Maura and Robert Morey

of Young Artists Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation

Lillian Qian and Charles Huang

The Sato Foundation

Estate of Gerald B. Rosenstein

Society for Art and Cultural

Leslie T. Schilling and Alexander H. Schilling Tania and Michael Stepanian Rosina and Anthony Sun Ann Tanenbaum, The Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund Jane Chang Tom Anita and Steven Westly Diane B. Wilsey Ann Soh Woods Songyee Yoon Anonymous

Heritage of India (SACHI)

$10,000 to $14,999 Frank S. Bayley, III Richard Beleson and Kim Lam Beleson Shashi and Dipanjan â&#x20AC;&#x153;DJâ&#x20AC;? Deb Jared Ede and Fernan de Zarate Doris Fisher Anne Ja Forbes Walter Jared Frost Ken Lamb Linda and David Lei

Bulgari Eventbrite Pace Palo Alto Pacific Gas and Electric Company Society for Asian Art VMware Walter & Elise Haas Fund

Carol Potter Peckham Marianne H. Peterson Ursula and Richard Ralph Alice and Bill Russell-Shapiro Sack Family Fund Peter and Beverly Sinton Barbara and Paul Sonnenblick Nicholas and Elizabeth Unkovic Glenn Vinson and Claire Vinson Michelle Wilcox and Robert F. Kuhling, Jr.

Blakemore Foundation Dodge & Cox The Ellen Bayard Weedon

Gill Foundation William and Gretchen Kimball Fund

Foundation Nordstrom Prologis

$6,000 to $9,999 Derek Adelman and Etsuko Kobata Chip and Juliet Bergh Annie Chen and Raymond Chang Vyolet L. Chu Penelope Clark Phoebe Cowles Renata Gasperi Mimi Gardner Gates Pat and Marvin Gordon Dorothy D. Gregor Geoff Headington Robert Hermann Melvyn and Maureen Hetzel Dr. Mary Hunt Sung Jin and Frank Ingriselli Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein Richard and Paola Kulp Angela and Gwong-Yih Lee Mr. Ray L. Lent and Mrs. Echo Chien-Lent Timothy and Joy Light Thomas and Beverly Marlow Amanda Minami and David K. Chao Ruth and James Murad Robert Oaks and Fred Sheng Dr. Hoe Tian Poh and Mary Frances Poh Barbara and Richard Rosenberg Kirsten and Christopher Shilakes Mary Lou Shott

Bloomberg Philanthropies

$3,000 TO $5,999 Mr. Rahim Adatia and Ms. Raheema Hemraj Dorrit Ahbel Sophie Lei Aldrich and Ted Aldrich Ellen and Ronald Arenson Deborah Parker Bailey John Barry and May Pon Cynthia and Gary Bengier Trista Berkovitz and Stephen Pegors Stuart Berkowitz, Ph.D. Dr. Phyllis B. Blair Jane Bogart John and Barbara Boyle Kittie Brodsky Sylvia Brown and Brian Wall Estate of Larry Burgoon Byers Family Jeff Byers Alexandra and Peter Caban Mr. and Mrs. Alexander D. Calhoun Frances Campra and Scott Campra-Brantley Frank Caufield David and Karin Chamberlain Chang Mooi Family Foundation Dinny Winsor Chase Claudine Cheng Yvonne and Ralph Cheng Joyce H. Clark Lori Collier Carol Cravens, Malcolm Cravens Foundation

S U M M E R 20 1 9

Wells Fargo

Kevin and Monita Martin

The Stephen and Margaret

Anonymous

ANNUAL REPORT

Nexus members viewing one of Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins during a visit to Naoshima, Japan, in May 2018. Photograph © Martha Hertelendy.

Kathleen Cross

Sameer Gandhi and Monica Lopez

Kathleen and Simon Heap

Ms. Jane B. Dalisay and

Michael Garland and

Kathleen G. Henschel and

Mr. John W. Kirkman

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

John W. Dewes

David G. Laudon Bianca and Merlin Larson

Janet L. Dobrovolny

Dessa P. Goddard

Mr. and Mrs. Austin E. Hills

Margaret M. Dueringer

Frederick L. Gordon

James and Florence Hitchcock

Mrs. Kay-lee Leung

Donald and Janice Elliott

Thomas Jackson, MD, and

Doreen Woo Ho and James Ho

Andrew Lick, Christie’s

Mr. Shu Hsu

Marie and Barry Lipman

Cinda Ely

Virginia Coe

Randall E. Laroche and

Kathleen Grant, MD

Dr. Lai-Sung Eric Leung and

Jo Anne and Jesse D. Erickson

Ms. Kalena Gregory

Frank and Laura Hugg

Peggy Lance Little

Pauline Eveillard and

Sallie Griffith

Ms. Connie Hwang

Austin and Vanita Louie

James and Mary Powell Grossman

Arlene Inch

Betty J. Louie

Dr. Vincent Fausone, Jr.

Douglas Gould

Linda and Jon Gruber

Mrs. Edina Jennison

Clara MacNamee

Ayame Flint

Edward Gui, NanHai Art

Michael M. Kim and Jenny Yip

Emily P. Marcus

Ms. Beverly Galloway and

Margaret B. Handelman

Annie Kuo and Roger Liang

Hermine and Summer Marshall

Carole and John Harlow

Renee Kwan

John and Peggy Mathers

Mr. Chris Curtis

ANNUAL REPORT

Mary Michael Mauro

Moez and Vivienne Virani

Marilyn Brennan

Joyce Hing McGowan

Michael and Patrice Wilbur

Dr. Lynne Lopez Brewer

Mrs. Betty Meissner

Faye Wilson

Mrs. Tien T. Bui and

Rhoda and Richard Mesker

Brenda J. and William L. Winston

Virginia and Donald Meyer

Ms. Eileen C. Wong

The MOCA Foundation

Endora Hsia and Dennis Wong

Lily and Riaz Moledina

Mrs. Florence M. Wong and

Michele A. Monson and Hon. Paul R. Haerle* Jim and Becky Morgan Milton J. Mosk and

Mr. Justin Wong Wil and Helen Wong Mr. David Lee and Ms. Heayoon J. Woo

Mr. James M. Connell Ms. Mahala Bundy and Mr. Steve J. Heminger

Daniel Drake and Lee Steinback-Drake Ms. Joyce M. Dubay George and Susan Fesus Jeanne and Frank Fischer Peter J. Flagg

Rosemarie and Dean L. Buntrock

Donald and Janie Friend

Adrianne and Robert Burton

Helen Gan

Terrie Campbell and

Mr. Donald Gibson

James Henderson Ms. Martha Carter-Bhatti

Raghuraman Gnanasekaran and Vasantha Vallaba

Jeanie Wu

Lyman and Carol Casey

Norman Goldfarb and Miriam Yelton

Rosemarie and Tae Hea Nahm

The Wu Family

Donald and Eunice Chee

Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund

Ms. Victoria Nakamura

Carolyn Young

Ms. Amy Chen

Hon Mai and Joseph Goodman

Sheila M. Nichols

Ms. Kay Yun and Mr. Andre

Ms. Joan Chen and Dr. Peter Y. Hui

James C. Gries

Thomas E. Foutch

Diane Ososke Gregory Potts and Scott DeBonville

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Chen

Beth and Brian Grossman

Stephen and Connie Zilles

Donovan K. Ching*

Dr. Richard F. Grossman

Anonymous

Mrs. Carol Chinn

Neumann-Loreck

and Ms. Elly Chen

Tim and Maureen Recker

Ms. Mayme Chinn

J. Halvorson

Judy and David Redo

Patricia and Howard Chiu

Frank Hand

Arthur & Toni Rembe Rock

David Clayton and Gayle Dekellis

Ms. Joanne K. Harano

Mark Cocalis

Ms. Susan Graham Harrison and

William and RenĂŠe Rothmann Peter and Collette Rothschild Louise A. Russell Dr. Emily J. Sano Richard P. Shrieve and Yvonne Don The Honorable Judge Lillian Sing Cherra and Harmit Singh Lee and Perry Smith Grace C. Spence Susan Steer Mr. Charles M. Stockholm Mrs. Nancy Sun Martha S. Sutherland Charles Lawrence Swezey Ms. Irene Tieh, Frank and Charlotte Tieh Joseph and Edith* Tobin Ada S.Y. Tom Mr. John K. Uilkema and Dr. Gail G. Uilkema

Chanel Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John and Marcia Goldman Foundation Matson Navigation Company The Swinerton Foundation University of California, Berkeley

$1,000 TO $2,999 Alliant Dean Anderson Mrs. Irene Andersen John and Kaaren Antoun Ms. Beth Arman and Dr. Robert Mintz Neaera and Edward Baer Asha and Dinesh Bajaj James Bancroft Christy Bartlett and Ken Tuomi Stephen and Sandy Bley Peter and Margaret Boyer Mr. and Mrs. George Bray

Mr. Steven J. Cohen

Mr. Michael A. Harrison

Michael and Praneenart Coke

Harvey Clars Auction Gallery

Josef Cooper and Tracy Kirkham

Gregory and Sally Hartman

Ms. Alice M. Corning

Geoffrey Bruce Hayes

Mr. and Mrs. Hartley Cravens

Monica and Stephen Henderson

Dory Culver and Walter Nirenberg

Mr. Benjamin Hermalin and

Ms. Denise M. Cutler and Mr. Trent S. Cutler

Ms. Ruth Konoff Robert Herr

Edith B. and William Dagley

Pamela and David Hornik

Carlotta Dathe

Estate of Thomas Frederic Humiston

Ms. Megan Davy Dr. Jane De Leon and Mr. Peter Horton

Margaret Jones William and Nancy Kales

Blair Dean and Robert Cooter

Mr. Jeffrey Katz

Jane DeBevoise

Ron and Barbara Kaufman

Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Demaria

Mr. and Mrs. Edmond A. Kavounas

Mr. and Mrs. Nirmal S. Dhesi

Dr. Susan Keyes and

Mr. Yilun Ding Mrs. Marilyn T. Doe Mrs. Anne Breckenridge Dorsey Jeanne Dorward

Mr. James Sulat

S U M M E R 20 19

Allen and Denise Tom

AARP

Mr. Eugene Kim and Ms. Christine Kim Dr. Kumja Paik Kim

*deceased

ANNUAL REPORT

Dr. Minjee Kim

Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Piccus

Pat Tseng

Sally L. Kirby

George and Edith Piness

Meena Vashee

Lois Kreuzberger

Mrs. Robert Pomeroy

Bruce and Fran Walker

Mr. Mike Krieger

Ms. Susan K. Prather

Ms. Barbara M. Ward and

Gladys and George Kwong

Kevin Pursglove

Liisa Ann Larson and

Ruth Quigley

Mr. and Mrs. Kin Y. Watt

Earldean Robbins

Mr. Stephen Wereb

Jude and Eileen Laspa

Janet and Michael Rodriguez

Mr. Dennis D. White and

Kewchang Lee, M.D. and

Ms. Rose Rogers

Steven Buehler

Kevin Deyager Ms. Kristin Lee Swenson and Mr. David Lee Swenson

Shelagh and Tom Rohlen

Mr. John R. Williams

Mr. Dalfred E. Ross and

Mr. J. William Wissel

Ms. Linda C. Lucas

King Won and Linda Won

Pamela H. Royse

Colin and Silvana Wong

Barbara and Warren Levinson

Jeannie Sack and Jordan H. Sachs

Dr. Olga F. Woo

Marcia Linn

Dr. Catherine Sanger and

Roy J. Wu

Mr. Brandon Yoder

Marcella and Kimberly Yano

Jean and Lindsay MacDermid

Max and Mary Schardt

Ms. Florette Yen

Mamie Moy Memorial Fund

Mrs. Nan Schwanfelder

David and Elissa Yeske

Ms. Susan G. Margolis

Harlan See

Ying Family Foundation

Christine and Stan Mattison

Ms. Eileen Sheldon

Anonymous (7)

John McCallister

Mrs. Lucretia T. Sias

Bobbie McChristy

Elvira Sidhu and

Dr. and Mrs. David J. Menke Ms. Michelle Mercer and Mr. Bruce Golden

Gursharan Singh Sidhu

Anita Silvers Matthew Simis and Michael Gray Terry Smalley and Suzanne Portero

Guy Miller

George and Camilla Smith

Jane Miller

Ms. Marion Y. So and

Drs. Janet Mohle-Boetani and Mark Manasse

Mr. Lyman Young Mrs. Gail P. Soldavini David and Roxanne Soward

Margaret and William Moorhouse

Robert L. Speer and John Wong

Ms. Clare M. Murphy

Tang and Gau Global Foundation

Ruth Muschel and

Dr. T. Miriam Tani

Gillies McKenna Ms. Linda Nanbu Rick and Evelyn Neely Lynne T. Ogata Vinayak Parikh Mr. Rohan Patel

Mr. Jonathan Oen-Lee

Jack Silveira

Ms. EJ Milken and

Vivienne E. Miller

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Jon and Margaret Sigurdson

Elizabeth and Robert Meyer Mr. Gregory Milken

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Mr. Lawrence Wu

Mr. David S. Leinbach

Dr. Lawrence S. Lipkind

The Hon. Roy L. Wonder

Mr. John C. Thoelecke and Mrs. Elza Wong-Thoelecke Mr. Laney Thornton and Mrs. Pasha Thornton Doug Tilden and Teresa Keller Tilden

Paul S. Nadler Foundation

Barbara and Clay Timon

Margaret Peters

Joaquim Trias and Yuka Ichijo

Cooper, White & Cooper Kitayama Bros Inc Korean Air The Hilton Hotels of San Francisco Union Square Squire Patton Boggs L.L.P. United Airlines

ANNUAL REPORT

S U M M E R 20 1 9

Jade Circle members enjoying the exhibition opening and reception celebrating Divine Bodies. Photograph ÂŠ Quincy Stamper Photography.

ANNUAL REPORT

2018 HIGHLIGHTS

33,198

students, teachers and chaperones participated in school tours and through outreach programs at

18,764

Number of objects in the

school groups educated

museum collection

through storytelling and docent-led programs

school sites

163

Total acquisitions

948

32,307

visitors enjoyed 138

331

Objects newly displayed

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

public programs

9,283

visitors participated in 1,513 docent tours

375

volunteers provided support

1,264

artworks received care from our conservation experts

ANNUAL REPORT

DONORS TO THE COLLECTION Through gifts of art and funds for acquisitions, donors strengthen and shape the museum’s greatest resource — its priceless holdings of art, history and heritage. We thank the following for contributing to the museum’s collection in fiscal year 2018. To inquire about donating an artwork, please send photographs and a description to the curatorial department at our mailing address or curators@asianart.org. Gifts of Art

Mr. Calvin B. Cornwell

Ms. Christine Li

Shirley Ross Davis

Ms. Ellora L. Ong and

Rajnikant T. and Helen Crane Desai Betty and Bruce Alberts Ms. Guitty Azarpay Kathy and Paul Bissinger Kay E. Black William Mathews Brooks Brion Charles Master Chao Shao-An* Ms. Sookee Chung Ms. Barbara Cooper

Anne Ropke Trust

Mr. Albert Chan

Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson

Mr. Mark Ong

Grotto Fine Art Ltd.

Sir William Fries, II*

Tyi Ong-Mar and Kenneth Mar

Nanhai Art

Walter Jared Frost

Mr. Peter Schneider

Beiren Hou

Ms. Cathy Schneider

Mr. Herman Jacobs and

Mr. Thomas Scovel

Mrs. Sheila Jacobs

Dr. Nancy Tingley

Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein Koon Wai Bong

Jack and Susy Wadsworth Tiande Wang Max W. Yeh and Yeh Tung

Mr. Ken Laxer

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS Matching gifts multiply the impact of a personal contribution, doubling or tripling an individual’s gift to benefit programs across the museum. For more information on matching your gift to the museum, contact the membership department at 415.581.3740 or members@asianart.org. $1,000 AND ABOVE

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Texas Instruments Foundation

Chevron Matching Gift Program

Intel

The Walt Disney Company

Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program

The James Irvine Foundation

Google Gift Matching Program

PG&E Corporation Foundation

S U M M E R 20 19

Apple Matching Gift Program

*deceased

ANNUAL REPORT

LEGACY, MEMORIAL AND TRIBUTE GIFTS For members of the Richard B. Gump Society, making a gift through a will or by beneficiary designation creates an enduring personal legacy and helps keep Asian art and culture accessible for future generations. We thank supporters who made gifts in memory or honor of others. For more information, please contact Kate McNulty, director of planned giving, at 415.581.3683 or kmcnulty@asianart.org. RICHARD B. GUMP SOCIETY

Anne M. Adelmann Dorrit Ahbel Sophia Lei Aldrich and Theodore Aldrich Anthony Alfidi Dean Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Arens Barbara Bakar Ms. Nancy E. Bardoff Tom, Pat and Anna Kate Bassett Mrs. Carole L. Becker Jody E. Berke Kathy and Paul Bissinger Dr. Phyllis B. Blair Mr. Gerry A. Blunt Agnes Chen Brown Mr. Donald Buhman Mr. Andrew T. Cassell, Jr.

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Cordelia Chang Mrs. Pauline Chang Dinny Winsor Chase Alan F. Chow Patty S. Chu and Colbert T. Dare Dr. Stephen R. Chun and Dr. Doris Sze Chun Joyce H. Clark *deceased

William and Diane Clarke

Marie and Harold Hyman

Keith Mautino

Glenn and Dianne Colville

Dr. Ronald G. Jan

Susan and Kevin McCabe

Katharine Comstock

Ms. Sandra N. Jeong

John McCallister

Dauna R. Currie

Robert M. Johnson

Dr. Patricia J. McEveney

Joan L. Danforth

Mary Jope

Anne* and Malcolm McHenry

Ms. Martha Debs

Dr. Narinder Kapany

Kate McNulty

Jeanne Dorward

Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and

Patrick E. McSweeney

Judith and Robert L. Duffy

Dr. David D. Stein

Jared Ede and Fernan de Zarate

Sally Ketchum

Mrs. Betty Meissner

Reverend Richard G. Fabian

Bill and Mary Kim

Virginia and Donald Meyer

Denise Fitch

Sally L. Kirby

J. Sanford Miller

Richard M. Fitzgerald and

Ludmila Kisseleva-Eggleton and

Mr. Lawrence L. Mock and

Victor A. Perez

Peter Eggleton

Ms. Chris Ahn

Peter J. Flagg

Henry J. Kleinhenz

Cathy and Howard Moreland

Nancy G. Freeman

Thomas and Mary Ellen Knapp

Ms. Ann M. Mullis

Walter Jared Frost

Lois Kreuzberger*

Mr. Jeffrey A. Nigh

Ms. Beverly Galloway and

Benjamin Leong and Wendy Lau

Marnay Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal

Barbara and Warren Levinson

Diane Ososke

Renata Gasperi

Felice Liang

Prof. John V. B. Perry

Mr. James C. Gries

Dr. Paul Lifton

Greg L. Pickrell and

Charles and Ginger Guthrie

Alice G. Lowe

Charles E. and Anthia L. Halfmann

Yin-Wah Ma and

Mr. Chris Curtis

Renee R. Hall

Rosser H. Brockman

Evelyn Richards Gregory Potts Marjo and Al Price

Frank Hand

Marilyn E. MacGregor

Ruth Quigley

Margaret B. Handelman

Clara MacNamee

Ronald D. Rattner

Marsha Vargas Handley

Josephine M. Markovich

Joan D. Reagan and

Dr. Gloria M. Hing

Hermine and Summer Marshall

Gordon Holler

James D. Marver

Mr. P.A. Reque

Elizabeth H. Huchberger

John and Peggy Mathers

Pamela H. Royse

Mr. C. W. Humphrey

Karyl M. Matsumoto

Louise A. Russell

Dominic Gattuso Jr.

ANNUAL REPORT

ESTATE AND TRUST GIFTS Legacies matter. They fund research for exhibitions, provide free admission to schoolchildren, conserve works of art and support the Asian Art Museum’s highest priorities. We would like to share with you a snapshot of some Asian Art Museum legacies.

Founding member Marion Bacciocco gave one seventh of her estate to the Asian Art Museum, providing $371,100 to support its programs.

Amy Tamaki Doi, an enthusiastic museum docent for 50 years, left a bequest of $20,000 to fund the museum’s highest priorities. Amy was especially interested in art from Japan and helped create

choreographer Larry Burgoon named the Asian Art Museum as a 2.5% beneficiary of his IRA, resulting in a $3,690 gift for the museum’s highest priorities.

Former chair of the Korean Art and Culture Committee, Robert J. Kenneth left a percentage of the Kenneth Family Trust to the Asian Art Museum, resulting in a $117,377 gift to purchase Korean art for the collection.

Frances Bushell lived to be 101. A renowned netsuke collector with her husband Raymond, she gave $100,000 to support the museum’s programs.

Ebullient and funny, holocaust survivor Gerald Rosenstein loved the arts. As his legacy he wished to fund arts programs. He gave $74,800 to the museum’s endowment. S U M M E R 20 19

the Jade gallery tour.

Retired dancer and

ANNUAL REPORT

Gump Society members enjoying the annual Gump Society Tea. Photograph ÂŠ Katelyn Tucker Photography.

Jordan H. Sachs and

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Jeannie Sack

Barbara and Paul Sonnenblick

Ms. Stephanie Waldman

Brenda J. and William L. Winston

Robert L. Speer and John Wong

Gaila and Ralph Watson

Prof. John Wood

Dr. Elizabeth Green Sah

Marilyn Spiegl

Midori O. Wedemeyer

Alexandra Zaugg Swafford

Xenia Sanders

Susan Steer

Daphne and Stuart Wells

Connie and Stephen Zilles

Dr. Emily J. Sano

Rosina and Anthony Sun

Tim Whalen

Anonymous (7)

Mr. Joseph Saunders

Susan K. Tanner

Judy Wilbur

Mary M. Schiffmann

Michael E. Tully

Michelle Wilcox and

Midori H. Scott

Mr. John K. Uilkema and

John J. Shaak Charles F. Simmons

Dr. Gail G. Uilkema Glenn Vinson and Claire Vinson

Mr. Robert F. Kuhling, Jr. Charlene Williams William E. Wilson

ANNUAL REPORT

Gifts in Memory

In Memory of Robert Han

In Memory of Waqar H. Bhatti and in support of Southeast Asian Art

In Memory of Frances Katz

Mr. John R. Williams

Mr. Mike Marcley

In Memory of Louis Caserza Ms. Rosemarie Caserza

In Memory of Elaine Connell Mrs. Tien T. Bui and

Mr. Jeffrey Katz

Jeanne and Frank Fischer

In Memory of Ed Lee Arthur Strange Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Wong

In Memory of Naomi Lindstrom Linda Rineck

In Memory of Barbara Liddell Ellen and Ronald Arenson†

Linda Rineck†

Elizabeth and Mark Blumberg†

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Shankel

Ms. Kathleen L. Campbell†

Anne M. Adelmann† Renee R. Hall† Asian Art Museum Docents

In Memory of Amy Doi

Ms. Cynthia C. Carl† Yvonne and Ralph Cheng† Ms. Barbara C. Colmam† Ms. Beverly Crowther† Dr. Vincent Fausone, Jr.† Ms. Margaret G. Fawcett†

Chiyoko I. Doi

Pamela Fischer†

Ms. Mary Ericsson†

Mrs. Judith Heim†

Dr. and Mrs. Saburo Kami†

Ms. Catherine P. Howard†

Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Kaplan†

Sally L. Kirby†

Yaeko Y. Kashima†

Barbara and Warren Levinson†

Sally L. Kirby†

Virginia and Donald Meyer†

Ms. Asako M. Nakamura†

Michele A. Monson†

Ms. Mona Nakamura and

Ms. Stephanie Mooers† Ms. Judith A. Olson†

Mr. and Ms. Gene Nishimatsu†

Mr. and Mrs. Scott R. Pearson†

Ms. Suzanne Ogawa

Mr. Steve Rundstrom†

Mr. Steve Perkins and

Mr. Matt Siegel†

Mrs. Peggy Perkins†

Mr. and Mrs. John Trinkl† Mr. John K. Uilkema and

Mrs. Susie Sasagawa

Dr. Gail G. Uilkema†

Ms. Caroline A. Satoda†

Ms. Stephanie Waskins†

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Suzuki† Ms. Kay Willoughby†

Robert and Rose Pritchard

In Memory of Anthony Pan Ms. Johanna Goldschmid† Asian Art Museum Docents†

In Memory of Ray Tsukimura Mrs. Peggie Tsukimura

In Memory of Joan Vinson Ms. Hui L. Khoo and Mr. John Kirkpatrick

In Memory of Stephanie Martin

In Honor of Chong-Moon Lee Mr. Dickson Lee

In Honor of Fred M. Levin Tim Whalen Ms. Kay Yun and Mr. Andre Neumann-Loreck

In Honor of Margaret Mathers Joe Kendrick

In Honor of Sharon Moore Ms. Paula Gerhardt and Mr. Dennis Gardner

In Honor of Maura B. Morey Fred Levin & Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation

In Honor of Mark Pope

Gifts in Honor In Honor of Betty N. Alberts Mr. Paul Z. Sakol

In Honor of Cori Bates Dr. Katherine Julian

In Honor of Edwin L. Berkowitz William and Renée Rothmann

In Honor of Dinny W. Chase Dr. Alan I. Kneitel and Ms. Diane Weber†

Dr. Mark Pope and Mr. Mario Carlos

In Honor of Lucy Sun Ms. Amy Chen

In Honor of Mary M. Tanenbaum Ann Tanenbaum, The Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund

In Honor of Akiko Yamazaki Ms. Karen Bacon

In Honor of Jay J. Xu Prof. Marilyn Wong Gleysteen

In Honor of Marlena Gee Hermine and Summer Marshall

In Honor of Nancy Jacobs Mr. Kent B. Wright and SU M M E R 20 1 9

Mr. Frank Sasagawa and

Yone and Daisy Satoda

In Memory of Douglas Overmyer

Ms. Sally Doherty†

Dinny Winsor Chase†

Mr. James Takasugi†

In Memory of Hiro Ogawa Betty and Bruce Alberts

Mr. James M. Connell

In Memory of Sheila Diehl

Mrs. Nellie Noguchi

Ms. Ellen Goldmark

Ms. Martha Carter-Bhatti

In Memory of Mrs. Elsie R. Carr

In Memory of Mori Noguchi

Mrs. Sherry B. Wright

In Honor of Timothy F. Kahn Alice and Bill Russell-Shapiro

Mr. Richard L. Martin

†gift to the Docent Fund

ANNUAL REPORT

MUSEUM LEADERSHIP, FY2018 As a proud part of the City and County of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum is jointly governed by the Asian Art Commission and the Board of Trustees of the Asian Art Museum Foundation. These dedicated volunteers generously donate their time and expertise in support of our mission, ensuring that the museum is positioned for artistic, financial and strategic success — both today and into the future. ASIAN ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION

Mimi Gardner Gates

Gorretti Lo Lui

Nanci Nishimura

Mary Powell Grossman, Ex Officio

Chair

Akiko Yamazaki

Martha Sam Hertelendy

Akiko Yamazaki

Timothy F. Kahn

Sung-Jin Ingriselli Anne Adams Kahn, Ex Officio Timothy F. Kahn

Vice Chairs Timothy F. Kahn Judith F. Wilbur

James D. Marver Maura B. Morey Anthony Sun Lucy Sun Jane Chang Tom Judith F. Wilbur

Vice Presidents

Choongja “Maria” Kahng

Robert L. Duffy

Chong-Moon Lee

Secretary

Brenda Wright

Fred M. Levin

James D. Marver

Akiko Yamazaki

Lucy Sun

Gorretti Lo Lui

Secretary Gorretti Lo Lui

Treasurer Kenneth P. Wilcox

Trustees Betty N. Alberts Michele Alioto Cori Bates Ellen Burstein Bauch Richard C. Blum Eliza L. Cash ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Fred Eychaner

ASIAN ART COMMISSION

Chair President

Robert L. Duffy

Jamie Chen Pehong Chen Sandra Cheung Kapil Chhibber Yogen Dalal Dixon R. Doll

*deceased

John Maa Kumar Malavalli

Treasurer Kenneth P. Wilcox

Kenneth P. Wilcox

EXECUTIVE TEAM Jay Xu

Kevin J. Martin

Commissioners

Constance C. Miller

Cori Bates

Nanci Nishimura

Edwin L. Berkowitz

Suno Kay Osterweis*

Kathy B. Bissinger

Joanne Chou

Allison Rose

William Mathews Brooks

Leslie Tang Schilling

Alexander D. Calhoun

Merrill Randol Sherwin

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Eliza L. Cash

Vijay Shriram

Julia K. Cheng

Anthony Sun

Carmen Colet

Lucy Sun

Joan L. Danforth

Ann Tanenbaum

Virginia Foo

Ina Goodwin Tateuchi

Martha Sam Hertelendy

Nicholas Unkovic

Timothy F. Kahn

Emily Wang

Bill S. Kim

Judith F. Wilbur

Chong-Moon Lee

Nancy Sackson

Kenneth P. Wilcox

Alexandra Lenehan

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Akiko Yamazaki

Fred M. Levin

Director and Chief Executive Officer

Catherine Finn

Chief Human Resources Officer Robert Mintz

Deputy Director, Art and Programs

ANNUAL REPORT

S U M M E R 20 1 9

CALENDAR

FEATURED PUBLIC PROGRAMS MAY 18 / SATURDAY APA Heritage Month Celebration 1–3 PM Free with museum admission 30 / THURSDAY Artist Talk: Tanabe Chikuunsai IV 7–8:30 PM Free with museum admission 31 / FRIDAY Artist Workshop with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV 1–4 PM Preregistration required; $10 members, $20 non-members Learn the art of bamboo weaving from a master of the medium

JUNE 13 / THURSDAY Japanese Tattoos: The Visual Splendor of the Floating World 6:30–7:30 PM $5 plus admission Conversation with Don Ed Hardy, Taki Kitamura, Mary Joy Scott and Junii Shimada

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

15 / SATURDAY Ukiyo-e Printing Workshop with Artist Tomoko Murakami 1–4 PM $20 plus admission; preregistration required

16 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition 20 / THURSDAY At the Table: Molly Kitamura & Chad Koeplinger 6:30 PM $5 members, $15 non-members, $13 students and seniors; includes museum admission

JULY 7 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition Village Artist Corner: Creative Compassion 11 AM–3 PM The VAC becomes a platform for creative compassion through installations, performances, art-making and other events 11 / THURSDAY At the Table: Monica Lo & Felicity Chen 6:30 PM $5 members, $15 non-members, $13 students and seniors; includes museum admission

13 / SATURDAY Live Tattooing at the Asian Art Museum 1–4 PM Free with admission 21 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition

AUGUST 4 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition Village Artist Corner: Creative Compassion 11 AM–3 PM The VAC becomes a platform for creative compassion through installations, performances, art-making and other events 15/ THURSDAY At the Table: Tim Archuleta 6:30 PM $5 members, $15 non-members, $13 students and seniors; includes museum admission 18 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition

SEPTEMBER 1 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition Village Artist Corner: Creative Compassion 11 AM–3 PM The VAC becomes a platform for creative compassion through installations, performances, art-making and other events 15 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day 10:30 AM–2 PM Explore Tattoos in Japanese Prints and make art inspired by the exhibition

Events are subject to change. Please check www.asianart.org for updates. Image: Indonesian artist Nano Warsano painting a mural at the Village Artist Corner as part of the Bangkit/Arise artist exchange. Photograph © Justin Yee.

CALENDAR

FEATURED MEMBER EVENTS 29 / WEDNESDAY Opening Reception Tattoos in Japanese Prints, The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien and Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection

MAY 4 / SATURDAY Chinatown Art Walk 11 AM–1 PM Open to Lunar Society Collection Visit: Donum Estate 3–6 PM Open to Jade Circle Gold and Nexus members 7 / TUESDAY Tour, Talk & Tea Japanese Art: Rustic or Refined? 2–4 PM Open to all members 11 / SATURDAY Tour, Talk & Tea Japanese Art: Rustic or Refined? 2–4 PM Open to all members 14 / TUESDAY Annual Director’s Dinner with Dr. Jay Xu 6:30–9:30 PM Open to Jade Circle Gold and Nexus members

5:30–7:30 PM Open to Jade Circle and Nexus members 7:30–9:30 PM Open to Lunar Society, Premium, Friend and Patron members 30 / THURSDAY Member Preview Day Tattoos in Japanese Prints, The Bold Brush of Au Ho-nien and Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection 10 AM–5 PM Open to all members

JUNE 2 / SUNDAY Travel to Toronto with Deputy Director, Art & Programs Dr. Robert Mintz Through Thursday, Jun. 6 Open to Jade Circle Silver, Jade Circle Gold and Nexus Members

16, 17, 18 / THURSDAY–SATURDAY Member Shopping Days 20% discount at the museum store

5 / WEDNESDAY Museum Architecture Tour 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Open to all members

22 / WEDNESDAY Special Viewing of Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection Open to Contemporary Council members

11 / TUESDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Snakes! 2–4 PM Open to all members

24 / FRIDAY Member Movie Night 6–8:30 PM Open to all members

15 / SATURDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Snakes! 2–4 PM Open to all members 16 / SUNDAY “Tooth” Brushstroke Painting 11 AM–1 PM Open to Rhino Club

www.asianart.org

@asianartmuseum

9 / TUESDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: The Bold Brush of Au Ho-Nien 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 10 / WEDNESDAY Museum Architecture Tour 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Open to all members 11 / THURSDAY Lunar Society Happy Hour 6–8 PM Open to Lunar Society 13 / SATURDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: The Bold Brush of Au Ho-Nien 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members

AUGUST 6 / TUESDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Tattoos in Japanese Prints 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 7 / WEDNESDAY Museum Architecture Tour 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Open to all members

SEPTEMBER 4 / WEDNESDAY Museum Architecture Tour 11:30 AM–12:30 PM Open to all members 10 / TUESDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Breaking the Mold, Literally! 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 14 / SATURDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Breaking the Mold, Literally! 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 25 / WEDNESDAY Annual Meeting and Opening Reception Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan 4–5:30 PM Exhibition Viewing Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 5:30–7:30 PM Annual Meeting and Celebration Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members 26 / THURSDAY Member Preview Day Changing and Unchanging Things: Noguchi and Hasegawa in Postwar Japan 10 AM–5 PM Open to all members

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Visit www.asianart.org for additional closings and special hours. Events are subject to change. Please check www.asianart.org for updates.

JULY

10 / SATURDAY Tour, Talk & Tea: Tattoos in Japanese Prints 2–4 PM Open to Friend, Patron, Jade Circle and Nexus members

S U M M E R 201 9

MUSEUM HOURS

Tue–Sun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AM–5 PM Mon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Closed

21 / FRIDAY Member Movie Night 6–8:30 PM Open to all members

ASIAN ART MUSEUM Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art & Culture www.asianart.org 200 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 USA

Non-Profit Organization U. S . Po s t a g e P A I D Asian Art Museum of San Francisco