Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Spring 2023

ARTRISE COLLECTIVE

On Jan. 26, 27, and 28, ArtRise Collective transformed the entire front of the museum into a beacon of support for the womenled Iranian civil rights movement with Woman Life Freedom, a large-scale projection presented in collaboration with Mozaik Philanthropy that featured 30 images by anonymous international artists curated through a blind review process. Pictured above: SOS Iran, 2022, by Anonymous (England); photograph © Asian Art Museum.

“My hope is that community-based projects like Woman Life Freedom provide the solace, the strength, and the sense of solidarity we all need right now.” — Dr. Jay Xu, The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO

CONTENTS

MAGAZINE STAFF

Editor-in-Chief

Tim Hallman

Art Director

Julie Giles

Writer / Editor

Nicholas Stone

Director of Membership

Danielle Hobart

Museum Photographer

Kevin Candland

Additional photography

Eric Martinez / Alisa Wong

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Whether in the spotlight, behind the scenes, or writ large across the building’s façade, this issue is a testament to the powerful work of women at the Asian Art Museum. Comprising the majority of the museum’s staff, women are key leaders and shapers of our programming and our shared vision.

ArtRise Collective’s moving Woman Life Freedom projection, the work of artists from Bernice Bing to Charya Burt and Madame Gandhi, and the remarkable efforts and ideas of the staff members featured in this issue all speak to our museum as a place where courageous, creative, and brilliant women represent a dynamic force for change.

SPRING 2023 VOL. XII ISSUE 1

Members’ Magazine

As Spring dances in, I am excited for you to join us for a wide range of vibrant exhibitions; I hope you’ll mark your calendar for the opening festivities of Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art. Just as the universal language of movement has inspired generations of creativity throughout the diverse communities of Southern Asia, this exhibition aims to bring the valued members of our community together to experience unforgettable moments of inspiration and exhilaration. n

SEE YOU AT THE MUSEUM!

Vice President Kamala Harris and Dr. Jay Xu at a celebration of the

Year, Washington, D.C., January 31, 2023. Cover: Two women dancing, approx. 1770. India; Rajasthan state, former kingdom of Bundi. Opaque watercolors on paper. Asian Art Museum, Gift of George Hopper Fitch, 1996.10. Back cover: Dancing Ganesha, approx. 1500–1700. India; Karnataka state. Copper alloy. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided

Harry and Yvonne Lenart, M.86.126.

Jay Xu

THE BARBARA BASS BAKAR DIRECTOR AND CEO

Lunar New

AN HISTORIC APPOINTMENT

In January, The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture, convened by the enactment of H.R. 3525 which was originally sponsored by Representative Grace Meng (D-NY). The Commission was the result of many years of advocacy by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country; thanks to their efforts, this critical national endeavor is moving forward.

Over a period of eighteen months, this bipartisan Commission will convene on a pro bono basis to create a report to be submitted to the President and Congress “regarding the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, DC, and its environs." The timeline for the Commission to begin its work will be determined later this year; Dr. Xu will continue to serve as director and CEO of the Asian Art Museum while contributing to this important national cause. n

Museum director Dr. Jay Xu meets with Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) in Washington, D.C.

ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Book lovers, mark your calendars: thousands of books — including rare collector's items — will be available at bargain prices at the Society for Asian Art’s annual Book Sale in the museum loggia. This year’s special four-day event includes both a Thursday night, when the museum remains open until 8 PM, and a Free First Sunday, when admission is free for all.

Browse desirable volumes on Asian art (from catalogs from past exhibitions at the museum to out-of-print gems like He Li’s guide to Chinese ceramics), as well as unique publications on history, literature, religion, culture, cooking, novels, travel, textiles, jewelry, and more!

Besides adding a new treasure to your coffee table or library, your book purchase will benefit the museum's C. Laan Chun Library. To date, the Society for Asian Art Book Sale has raised more than $120,000 for the museum library, one of the most comprehensive research libraries on Asian art and culture in the country. n

A Q&A WITH JULIA LI FOR ALL

Director of Inclusion and Belonging Julia Li provides an overview of her work helping the museum achieve its Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) goals.

Broadly speaking, what does DEAI work aim to accomplish?

We’re aiming to develop a more inclusive culture: a place where everyone feels like they are represented. Inclusion and belonging are key to helping people see themselves, both in the context of various cultures and of America itself.

What is unique about DEAI at the Asian Art Museum?

One of our board members described the Asian Art Museum as a “living room” for the community. It’s a physical space that folks from all different backgrounds can come into and appreciate. Artists and culture really set the narrative and the conversation, and at the Asian Art Museum, we’re not only showcasing art from 5,000 years ago to the present; we’re a beacon, illuminating a multitude of identities. We elevate artists and stories that can foster empathy and a greater appreciation of our nation’s diversity. That includes speaking to the experiences of new Americans, as well as those of individuals from communities worldwide.

The Asian Art Museum is helping to continuously redefine what it means to be an American and to feel that one belongs and is being seen. Many in the Asian American experience will tell you that living in America can feel like constantly being silenced. Our museum serves as a platform for their voices to be heard and celebrated.

What kind of DEAI programs are on the horizon?

I think of DEAI at the museum as involving three pillars: our people, our museum, and our greater community. This first year is focused on laying the basic foundations for DEAI work through people programs. These are internal programs — including Affinity Groups, an annually rotating DEAI Council, and a quarterly series of DEAI workshops for staff, docents, and volunteers — with an emphasis on powerful listening, engaging in healthy dialogue, and prioritizing the staff’s psychological safety.

The second aspect considers who we are as an institution and how that contributes to a sense of belonging, whether by reexamining the history of objects in our collection, or by showcasing contemporary artists with powerful stories to tell. For example, bringing the story of Chanel Miller to a greater audience; or our Carlos Villa show, which was the first time a major museum had showcased a Filipino American artist; or Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk, one of the first times I’ve seen an exhibition that’s reaching out to a younger audience while also taking historical lore and modernizing it.

The third pillar comprises our relationships with our neighbors in San Francisco and the Bay Area, as well as with travelers from countries around the world. I believe if we meet the needs of our staff first — addressing any inequalities or unheard voices within the organization — we can go on to make a more meaningful difference in the greater community. n

Julia Li checking out the Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk exhibition. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

Beyond

EVERY MOVE HAS MEANING.

Bollywood 2000 YEARS OF DANCE IN ART

THE AKIKO YAMAZAKI AND JERRY YANG PAVILION

From the heartfelt and spontaneous moves seen at any wedding reception to the elaborately staged choreography of a Bollywood production, dance allows people around the world to communicate and connect through sheer movement. The many roles dance has played throughout human history — including its role in the realms of religion, mythology, and ceremony — speak to its ability to convey profound and manifold meanings. It is no wonder, then, that centuries of artists have been moved to try to capture the magic of dance in other art forms.

“While the expressive capacity of dance is universal, it has flourished with exceptional radiance in the arts and visual culture of South and Southeast Asia and the Himalayan region,” says exhibition curator Dr. Forrest McGill. Co-curated by McGill and Ainsley M. Cameron, Curator of South Asian Art, Islamic Art and Antiquities at the Cincinnati Art Museum, Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art is a celebration of dance’s enduring capacity to inspire artists from this part of the

world for two millennia. A wide range of meanings are reflected through artworks from India, Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as work by select contemporary artists who engage with performance and dance in various mediums.

McGill notes that while naturally there is plenty of dancing for fun and entertainment in the lands represented in Beyond Bollywood, the visual arts of this region also portray dance as a potent vehicle for communication and change — “conveying the profoundest religious, spiritual, and social messages, but also potentially disrupting or invigorating the world.” Certain Hindu and Buddhist deities are often depicted dancing, McGill says: “In fact, it’s hard to think of other religious traditions worldwide where the gods dance so much.” Beyond Bollywood includes numerous examples of divine beings in motion, from the grinning titular figures in a painting of the Tibetan Lords of the Cremation Ground dancing, to bronze sculptures of the Hindu deities Shiva

Mythical bird-man dancing, approx. 1857–1885. Myanmar (Burma). Wood with lacquer, gold leaf, and inlaid glass. Burma Art Collection at Northern Illinois University, gift of Konrad and Sarah Bekker, BC87.01.01.

EXHIBITIONS

Ground dancing, to bronze sculptures of the Hindu deities Shiva and Ganesha or the Buddhist deities Vajravarahi and Hevajra, each balancing with supernatural ease and elegance on the toes of a single foot.

The development of Beyond Bollywood was also a balancing act of sorts — the result of intense collaboration and group effort over a five-year period. After the Asian Art Museum organized a panel of scholars for a two-day conference, a single guiding principle came into view. “The idea that 'dance is power' emerged as central to everyone involved,” McGill explains; “whether it’s a promise of unity with the divine through the cosmic movements of deities or a king commissioning his royal troupe to perform as a display of taste and status, dance is invested with the power to accomplish something.”

Representing five possible answers to the inquiry “What is dance accomplishing here?” the included artworks are grouped into five sections: Destruction and Creation; Devotion; Subjugation; Glorification; and Celebration. To reflect the dynamic and emotionally engaging nature of dance itself, the exhibition space of each section includes an evocative environment created by Asian Art Museum Exhibition Designer Marco Centin in which visitors are invited to experience an immersive journey of sensation. Whether the mood is reverent, awed, or celebratory, each section elicits a unique response.

In Devotion, for example, viewers are invited into the scene of an ecstatic circle dance from Hindu mythology as seen in several paintings throughout the exhibition. Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, goes deep into the forest at night and plays his flute; his music is irresistible to the women of the village, who abandon their familial duties to join him in what McGill terms “a dance of connection that enthralls the senses and transcends earthly bonds, unifying the dancers with the divine.” Devotion sets the stage for its corresponding artworks by surrounding the viewer with an environment suggesting a forest at night, where the sound of enchanting flute music beckons as one draws closer to a depiction of Krishna’s alluring dance.

In conjunction with Centin’s innovative designs, McGill notes the critical role of Preparator and Lighting Technician Lauren Wright (interviewed in this issue) in setting the mood of each space. “Lauren’s background in theatrical lighting has been enormously helpful for this show,” he says. For instance, in Devotion, McGill says Wright’s expertise informed considerations

such as “what color temperature is right to suggest a moonlit forest, or how to achieve the dappled effect of moonlight coming through foliage.” Like dance itself, the exhibition design speaks directly to the viewer’s body and emotions; to enjoy the full range of sensations it provides, this show must be experienced in person.

Beyond Bollywood delivers on its title — journeying to past centuries, ranging across Southern Asia, and reaching deep into the viewer’s senses. On select dates, “Dance Dialogue” pop-ups will feature performers of Indian, Balinese, Cambodian, and Jazz dance styles looking at art with visitors and a museum educator, then moving to a designated area for a brief performance or demonstration (see this issue's calendar for details). Associated programs include a Beyond Bollywood Dance Series in Samsung Hall and monthly Family Fun Days featuring dance-themed activities for all ages. n

Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art

CATALOGUE

AVAILABLE IN THE CHA MAY CHING BOUTIQUE

$45

$40.50 Members

Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum. This exhibition has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Generous support is provided by Eliza and Dean Cash, Sumir Chadha, Vaishali Chadha and Family, Yogen and Peggy Dalal, Shashi and Dipanjan “DJ” Deb, Aarti and Sandeep Johri, Lata Krishnan and Ajay B. Shah, Fred Levin & Salle Yoo and Jeff Gray, Dipti and Rakesh Mathur, Sundar and Anjali Pichai, SACHI: Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India, Ram and Vijay Shriram, Sanjay and Suniti Subhedar, Meena Vashee, and an anonymous donor. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions.

Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, approx. 1125–1175. India; Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu state. Copper alloy. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 69.46.

HELL: ARTS OF ASIAN UNDERWORLDS

JUN 16–SEP 18 OSHER FOUNDATION GALLERY

What’s your own personal idea of hell? Maybe it’s getting stuck in an endless, bumper-to-bumper traffic jam during rush hour, or being forced to sing a cappella in front of an enormous audience; it might just be the sheer horror of having to face a Monday morning without a cup of coffee.

To us mere mortals, the underworld remains an elusive idea — a place whose only boundaries are the human imagination. As a result, it has proved a great inspiration to artists through the years. Curated by Jeff Durham, the museum’s associate curator of Himalayan art, Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds explores its subject via a generous variety of genres and media, from maps, puppets, and 20th-century paintings to 1,000-year-old Cambodian sculpture. The exhibition brings together traditional imagery from Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and the Philippines, as well as contemporary visions by Asian American artists borrowed from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. “These depictions are aesthetically sumptuous, often gruesome, and sometimes even humorous,” says Durham, “but they always reveal something

fundamental about how we imagine the ultimate catastrophe of cosmic condemnation.”

What’s that you say — a visit to Hell doesn’t sound like much fun? Never fear; according to this show, it might not be as bad as you might think. For one thing, it seems there’s never a dull moment: the Asian Art Museum’s Hell is populated by a cast of colorful and surreal characters, and the imagery on view is often surprisingly entertaining. Yoshifuji Utagawa’s Meiji-era woodblock print Newly Published Comic Picture of Cats undermines the putative seriousness of the hell-realm by populating it with felines (which may not seem farfetched to viewers who suffer from allergies). What’s more, there may be a way out: in some traditions presented here, the condemned will encounter guides in the realms below who can offer them a second chance.

Hell’s bold juxtapositions — the staid and the lurid, the grotesque and the goofy — will stimulate the imagination and tickle the funny bone. So, if a fellow member suggests they’ll see you in Hell, we hope you’ll reply with a smile: “Hell yes!” n

provided by the following endowed funds: Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions and Kao/Williams Contemporary Art Exhibitions Fund. Kayu kepuh (Gateway to the Underworld) shadow puppet (Wayang kulit), from Wayang Cupak Tabanan Set, early 20th century. Indonesia, Bali. Water buffalo hide, water buffalo horn, pigments, metal wire. Yale University Art Gallery, The Dr. Walter Angst and Sir Henry Angest Collection, 2018.130.6.2. Photograph courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery. Newly Published Comic Picture of Cats (Shinpan neko no giga) (detail), 1883, by Utagawa Yoshifuji (Japanese, 1828–1887). Japan, Meiji era (1868–1912). Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper. Susan L. and C. J. Peters. Photograph by Tom Dubrock.

Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds is organized by the Asia Society Museum, New York. Presentation made possible with generous support from Lulu and Anthony Wang. Sustained support generously

“Do the hellish and the humorous have a hidden connection? The answer is up to you ...

”

JEFF DURHAM, ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF HIMALAYAN ART

BERNICE BING

Into View: Bernice Bing is the first in an ongoing series of exhibitions that shine a spotlight on underappreciated modern artists. Not recognized her lifetime, Bernice Bing (1936–1998) was a vibrant and inspiring figure to her creative contemporaries and a heroic advocate for marginalized communities. Into View offers a chance not only to engage with Bing’s artwork, but to get to know the artist as a person.

Upon entering Hambrecht Gallery, visitors encounter what is perhaps the exhibition’s most personal work: Bing’s 1960 oil painting Self-Portrait with a Mask. Curator Abby Chen reveals that this painting was discovered during the height of the pandemic, when she and her team visited a storage space in search of Bing’s large-scale abstract paintings. By chance, Chen came across a smaller painting, sitting off to the side like an afterthought. “When I happened to uncover it,” she remembers, “I froze.” Recognizing the figure’s blue sweater, which Bing is seen wearing in numerous photographs, Chen saw herself in the work as well: “She’s wearing that white mask, while we were all wearing masks; it was quite moving.”

Bing’s later abstract paintings draw inspiration from Buddhist sutras and the California landscape, and the artist would eventually

NOW ON VIEW HAMBRECHT GALLERY

extend her energies beyond the studio as a tireless community advocate and organizer. By contrast, Chen says the youthful selfportrait “offers a very different, more interior energy: a soulful and intensely personal approach to self-reflection.” In the context of Bing’s abstract works, “the self-portrait provided an anchoring point, becoming the soul of the exhibition. It has a penetrating effect — it’s so strong, yet so vulnerable.”

To allow Bing’s legacy to germinate further, Chen has organized an Open Call for artists and writers. “As people respond to the Open Call, they’ll need to investigate who Bernice Bing was: It’s a way to foster greater awareness of her work across generations.” n

Into View: Bernice Bing is organized by the Asian Art Museum. This exhibition is made possible with the generous support of the Terra Foundation for American Art. Additional support is provided by Richard and Tatwina Lee in honor of Jay Xu and Abby Chen. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions and the Kao/Williams Contemporary Art Exhibitions Fund.

Abby Chen with visitors discussing Into View: Bernice Bing. Self Portrait with a Mask (detail), 1960, by Bernice Bing (American, 1936–1998). Oil on canvas. Asian Art Museum, Gift of the Estate of Bernice Bing, F2020.25.1. © Estate of the Artist. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

TAKASHI MURAKAMI: UNFAMILIAR PEOPLE — SWELLING OF MONSTERIZED HUMAN EGO

behavior informed by historical and art-historical references and a wry sense of humor. This exhibition focuses in particular on the artist's use of monsters as a vehicle for reflecting on contemporary life. While monsters have been a consistent motif for Murakami from the beginning, these works find them taking on new forms in response to the influence of social media and a global pandemic, when the people around us — and their self-presentation in online interactions — sometimes became startlingly unfamiliar. In addition to premiering several neverbefore-seen new works, the exhibition includes an epic seventyfive-foot diptych spanning an entire wall of the Pavilion and an installation blanketing Wilbur Gallery from top to bottom with Murakami’s signature flower motif.

s this exciting exhibition approaches, please keep an eye (or three) out for emails with information on opening week events and exclusive opportunities for museum members. n

THE AKIKO YAMAZAKI AND JERRY YANG PAVILION

is organized by the Asian Art Museum. Presentation is made possible with the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional support is provided by Neiman Marcus. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for (detail), 2019, by Takashi Murakami (Japanese, b. 1962). Acrylic, gold, and platinum leaf . © 2019 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

HYDE STREET ART WALL

This year, visitors will encounter a newly commissioned mural on the Lawrence and Gorretti Lui Hyde Street Art Wall by Dave Young Kim (American, b. 1979), a Los Angeles-based artist with Bay Area roots. A co-founder of the Korean American Artist Collective, Kim often uses the specific to address universal ideas of the human condition in his artwork. Fundamentally, he explains, his work speaks to the premise that “we are all looking for a place to call home.”

Kim’s Jakhodo Today depicts an uncharacteristically foolish-looking tiger sitting beneath a pine tree and being teased by a magpie. The composition’s style and subject matter draw inspiration from folk paintings of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Paintings of this duo were sometimes placed on the front gates or doors of houses to bring good luck, as tigers were believed to expel evil spirits and magpies represented bearers of good news. In time, the tiger also emerged as a symbol for the aristocratic yangban, while the dignified magpie represented the common people; such imagery allowed villagers to quietly rebel against the ruling class. The mural’s saekdong (colorful stripes) are a decorative element often used to adorn clothes and traditionally thought to summon good fortune; their five or seven colored stripes originated with the concept of eumyang-ohaeng, or yin and yang, and the five elements.

Kim notes that many Korean Americans may have grown up with such imagery without being privy to the symbolism behind it. “It speaks of the familiarity of gleaned tradition without having knowledge of the deeper context or ancestral culture,” says Kim; “this is the immigrant story.” n

Jakhodo Today is organized by the Asian Art Museum. Presentation is made possible with the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional support is provided by Neiman Marcus. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions and the Kao/Williams Contemporary Art Exhibitions Fund. This installation 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 memory of Ambassador and Mrs. Sampson Shen, and Claudine Cheng. Digital comp for Jakhodo Today by Dave Young Kim (American, b. 1979). Lawrence and Gorretti Lui Hyde Street Art Wall, 2023. Portrait photograph by Lauren Anderson.

OPENS NOV 17 OSHER FOUNDATION GALLERY

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see two treasured ink paintings from Kyoto's Daitokuji Ryokoin Zen temple.

Attributed to the 13th-century Chinese monk Muqi, these works have never been shown in the U.S. and are rarely on view even in Japan, where they have been revered for centuries.

Discover the history of these beguilingly simple compositions — why they were so cherished in medieval Japan, and how they became famous in the West in the 20th century. n

The Heart of Zen is organized by the Asian Art Museum in partnership with Daitokuji Ryokoin Temple and with assistance from the Kyoto National Museum. Persimmons, approx. 1200–1300, attributed to Muqi (Chinese, active approx. 1250–1300). China, Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Collection of Daitokuji Ryokoin Temple Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

BEHIND THE SCENES

LIGHTING TECHNICIAN LAUREN WRIGHT

Lighting Technician and Preparator Lauren Wright is a major contributor to the way artworks and exhibitions are presented at the museum. In this interview, we turn the spotlight on Lauren and her important work behind the scenes.

How did you get started in lighting?

I’m originally from outside of St Louis, Missouri. I’d enjoyed doing lighting for high school theater, so I went to a program at Webster University for theater lighting design and then worked in theater in New York.

What kind of responsibilities does your job entail?

I was here when the museum switched over from halogen to LED between 2018 and 2020, so I’ve lit every artwork on view. There’s also maintenance: LEDs can burn out, and because these are specialized lights on a flexible neck, they can shift or droop over time. I also work closely with conservation, gathering data on things like sunlight levels.

What kind of challenges and considerations inform your work?

Anyone can point a light at a piece, but illuminating details to make the artwork look alive requires expertise. Threedimensional works, or those in a case, also need to be viewable from different angles. I work with curators and design to set the mood for different spaces. Transitions between spaces are important, too; as you’re walking in, it shouldn’t suddenly be too dim or too overwhelming. The biggest challenge is working within

the conservation standards: finding levels that look good without harming the artwork.

Why do some of the galleries seem dark?

Artworks, especially textiles and paper, can be irreparably damaged by light. We’re trying to preserve these delicate treasures for future generations; we take that very seriously. If something seems dimly lit, it’s probably very fragile and very old!

What can you share about your lighting approaches for Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art?

Distinct moods and atmospheres are very important for Beyond Bollywood. It’s intentionally big and bold. We use a tiny bit of color all around the museum, but most of the big color splashes in the lights usually come from contemporary artists like Kongkee, Carlos Villa, or Jean Shin. Bollywood has to balance the use of color to convey emotions and atmosphere while also using our standard lights for any sensitive, older artworks.

Do you have a favorite artwork here?

I have two: One is in the Japanese ceramics gallery — a figurine of a man wearing a hat. I just love him! And in the adjacent gallery, there’s a wooden Buddha, with one hand extended in a symbolic gesture. I’ve done more elaborate lighting elsewhere, but I think the simple lighting on this piece really works — it looks calm and serene. n

Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

DANCE DIALOGUES

As part of Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art, a series of pop-up Dance Dialogues in the exhibition space will feature performers of Indian, Balinese, Cambodian, and Jazz styles and a museum educator (or an Art Speak intern) looking at art with visitors, then moving to a designated area for a brief performance or demonstration, followed by a Q&A. Dance Dialogues will be offered twice a day on the second Sunday and fourth Thursday in April, May, and June, and the second Sunday in July.

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh And The Noorani Dance Company

The Noorani Dance Company is comprised of preprofessional and professional dancers, committed to enlightening minds and hearts through performances and collaborative partnerships across other forms of performing arts. The company’s founder

and artistic director Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is an internationally acclaimed Kathak performer, choreographer, and instructor. Having received two decades of training from the late Pandit Chitresh Das, Farah is known for her evocative storytelling and technical precision; her work addresses topics of historical and social relevance while maintaining the classical elements of Kathak. Since 2015, she has been performing and teaching throughout Pakistan, becoming a sought-after presence and contributor to the Pakistani cultural arts landscape.

Antoine Hunter And The Urban Jazz Dance Company

Oakland native Antoine Hunter (aka Purple Fire Crow) is an award-winning and internationally known African American, indigenous, Deaf, and disabled choreographer, dancer, actor, instructor, speaker, producer, and Deaf advocate. Hunter

General support for education is provided by the Dhanam Foundation; The William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation Education and Research Fund; James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen; The Morrison & Foerster Foundation; Dodge & Cox; and The Joseph & Mercedes McMicking Foundation. Support is also provided by an endowment established by The Hearst Foundations. This page: Left: Photograph by Mark Kitoaka. Right: Photograph by Oriana Filiaci. Opposite page: Photograph by Rama Sivamani.

founded the Urban Jazz Dance Company in 2007 and the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival in 2013. His work has been performed globally and he has lectured across the U.S. In response to Covid-19, he founded #DeafWoke, an online talk show that amplifies Deaf and disabled stories by people of color as a force for cultural change.

The Urban Jazz Dance Company’s mission is to uplift and provide opportunities for Deaf, hard of hearing, and disabled artists from marginalized backgrounds. The company amplifies visibility and creates opportunities through programming including dance classes for Deaf and hearing dancers; the annual Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival; Deaf Dance Festivals in locations including San Diego, New York, and Turkey; school engagements, community workshops, and more.

I Madé Moja

I Madé Moja comes from Batuan, a village in Bali known for its classical music, dance, fine woodcarving, and unique painting style. Moja’s father, renowned painter I Madé Budi, passed on the ink and watercolor technique of Batuan to his son, who has taken it in new directions here in the U.S. Moja's work has been shown internationally and featured in numerous books detailing the art and culture of Bali. In addition to teaching and experimenting with new themes in his painting, he is a primary dancer with Gamelan Sekar Jaya, an acclaimed Balinese orchestra and dance group.

Charya Burt

Charya Burt is an acclaimed master dancer, choreographer, vocalist, and teacher of classical Cambodian dance. Established as a bridge between the gods and the kings, classical Cambodian dance can be traced back to the Khmer Angkorian Period more than 1,000 years ago. Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge Regime prohibited the art form, killing about 90% of all dancers. Burt trained extensively with Cambodia’s foremost surviving dance masters, eventually joining the dance faculty of Cambodia’s Royal University of Fine Arts. Recipient of the Isadora Duncan Award and fellowships from the 2021 Hewlett 50 Commission, Dance/USA, and Americans for the Arts, Burt’s mission is to continue to preserve and renew her art form. She is the founding artistic director of Charya Burt Cambodian Dance, based in the San Francisco North Bay. n

WHAT’S HAPPENING

On your next visit, be sure to check out these spaces!

SHRIRAM EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER

During the Beyond Bollywood exhibition, the Shriram Experiential Learning Center — the museum’s drop-in artmaking space — will become a dance studio where visitors can use floor-to-ceiling mirrors to learn dance steps inspired by the artworks in the show, as well as inventing new moves for everyone to try out. Share your “happy dance” on social media!

KORET WINDOW DISPLAY

Mar–May

From March through May, the Koret Education Center windows will feature original artwork by the 2022–23 Art Speak interns. Created with multidisciplinary artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, this installation focuses on inherited objects and the stories they share.

Jun–Aug

The School Programs Team is accepting applications from K–12 teachers to have their students’ artwork displayed in our Koret Classroom windows this summer. Submissions will be evaluated in collaboration with our Teacher Advisory Council, made up of K–12 teachers from across the Bay Area. The class whose work is chosen for the display will enjoy a party at the museum celebrating their “opening”! For more information, visit education.asianart.org/professional-development/koretdisplay-windows-for-student-artwork. n

Left: From Caressing Nostalgia. Photograph by RJ Muna.

FOUNDING MEMBER’S LEGACY

Clark Lyle cared deeply about the Asian Art Museum. A founding and senior member for more than 20 years, he enjoyed learning about Asian art, taking in the museum’s special exhibitions, and wandering through the Chinese galleries to admire the ceramics collection.

Lyle filled his Petaluma home with Chinese ceramics and Persian rugs that he found on his travels. Professionally, he worked in insurance and real estate, but on the side, he played piano with Bay Area swing bands until his nineties.

When he passed away at the age of 105, we discovered that he had left his estate to the museum that he loved. We are grateful for this member’s generous legacy, which will support educational museum programs including docent and storytelling tours for students. On a recent afternoon, his executor came to the museum to hand deliver Lyle’s generous gift. n

Members like Clark Lyle who include the Asian Art Museum in their will or name the museum as a beneficiary play an important role in furthering the museum’s mission to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures in the Bay Area and beyond.

Wha t will your legacy be? Contact Kate McNulty, director of individual and legacy giving, at 415.581.3683 or kmcnulty@asianart.org or visit plannedgiving.asianart. org to learn more.

Ruth Freeman presents Clark Lyle’s legacy gift to Director of Individual and Legacy Giving Kate McNulty while Deputy Director Dr. Robert Mintz looks on. Photo © Asian Art Museum.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

A NEW MEMBER GIFT IS HERE!

We invite Patron, Friend, and Member Premium level members to pick up a custom tote bag and share your love of the Asian Art Museum while you hop around town! Made with 100% recycled material, Baggu bags are a stylish and playful way to sustainably accessorize. Each super-light bag is strong enough to carry up to 50 lbs. and folds into a compact pouch for easy portability. Just like your member benefits, this bag is fun and easy to use!

5 Ways to Fill Your Baggu Tote

1. Shop at the Cha May Ching Museum Boutique for artful items from across the globe.

2. Take a trip to the library and bring home a new book for a rainy day.

3. Head to your local farmer’s market for fresh ingredients, flowers, and a treat or two.

4. Bring your favorite art supplies to an inspiring destination (pencils and sketchbooks are always welcome in the museum galleries!)

5. Pack a perfect beach bag with plenty of SPF, a towel, and room left over for sandcastle tools.

PATRON, JADE CIRCLE, AND NEXUS ALL MEMBERS

NEW! DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS ANNUAL PREVIEW LUNCHEON

BENEFITS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Now you can carry your benefits directly on your smartphone!

We’ve partnered with Cuseum to create digital membership cards for all levels of membership. With your convenient, easyto-use benefits stored securely on your phone, you’ll always be ready to check out our programming and events.

A s a member, use your new digital card to join us at the museum for memorable cultural celebrations, thoughtprovoking artist talks, and much more.

Ensur e you receive your digital card by contacting members@asianart.org, calling 415.581.3740, or stopping by our membership desk to speak with Member Services.

Enjoy Benefits Around the Bay Area and Beyond

D igital cards also provide a clever way to enjoy your benefits on the go! Your new digital cards will display reciprocal benefits if you have a Member Premium or higher-level membership.

Enjoy free admission to more than 1,000 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) and Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) programs. Reciprocal benefits include:

n Free admission during regular museum hours

n Discounts on ticketed programming

n Member discounts at the Cha May Ching Boutique Visit give.asianart.org/membership/reciprocal-membership to learn more and view lists of current partnering institutions. Please note that reciprocal benefits at each museum may vary and some restrictions apply.

Wednesday, Apr 12 | Samsung Hall and Bowes Court

Be the first to hear the latest.

Join us at the museum on Apr. 12 for the Annual Preview Luncheon, where museum curators and staff will share museum news and introduce you to some of our highly anticipated upcoming exhibitions. This year’s event will include presentations on the following:

Takashi Murakami: Unfamiliar People — Swelling of Monsterized Human Ego

Dr. Laura W. Allen, Senior Curator of Japanese Art

Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds

Dr. Jeff Durham, Assistant Curator of Himalayan Art

Heart of Zen

Dr. Yuki Morishima, Associate Curator of Japanese Art

Contemporary Programs

Abby Chen, Senior Associate Curator and Head of Contemporary Art

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access at the Museum

Julia Li, Director of Inclusion and Belonging

Kindly RSVP by Mar. 31 to members@asianart.org or call 415.581.3740. Doors open at 10:50 am.

Space is limited. Invitation admits two per membership and is nontransferable. Contact us with questions at members@asianart.org or 415.581.3740.

NEXUS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY

INDIA

2023

As part of the museum’s celebration of South Asian art in conjunction with this year’s Beyond Bollywood exhibition, this trip’s robust itinerary will include a visit to the buzzing metropolitan city of Mumbai and its contemporary art scene; the Buddhist caves of Ajanta; the rock-cut sculptures of Ellora; the Islamic art of the Deccan; the opulence of the Nizams of Hyderabad; and the fairy tale city of Udaipur, renowned for its white marble palaces, miniature paintings, and local culture.

Questions about joining Nexus for a chance to join the trip? Contact nexus@asianart.org.

JADE CIRCLE GOLD AND NEXUS

DIRECTOR’S RECEPTION

On Jun. 7, Jade Circle Gold and Nexus Members, Trustees, and Commissioners are invited to a special event hosted by The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Jay Xu. Guests will hear directly from Jay about upcoming projects and his vision for the museum.

This is an exclusive benefit for Jade Circle Gold membership. Contact us about upgrading at jadecircle@asianart.org.

Nexus travels to India with the Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Jay Xu Nov 1–11,

BEYOND BOLLYWOOD

IN THE CHA MAY CHING MUSEUM BOUTIQUE

Find the perfect gift (or treat yourself) this spring in the Cha May Ching Museum Boutique. Highlights include one-of-a-kind and handcrafted items — jewelry, apparel and accessories, home décor, and more — inspired by the Beyond Bollywood exhibition.

Plus, discover new ceramics and tableware, fun toys, rare books, tasty food, and other items made by artisans hailing from across the globe to around the corner. Pictured above: mini singing bowls at $39.95; candles with crystals from Earth

Elements for $24.95; and a yak wool crossbody bag from The Dancing Yak, Tibet in various styles starting at $109.95. n

Stop by during your next visit or shop online at store.asianart.org. All proceeds support museum exhibitions and programs, and members always enjoy a 10% discount.

FALL 2023 ARTS OF ASIA LECTURE SERIES

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Humans have always been curious about the cultures of faraway lands, and precious trade objects have offered a window into the lives of their makers. Advances in maritime technology at the beginning of the 15th century led to a veritable explosion of material and information exchange between distant nations. Christian Jesuit priests traveled to all parts of Asia, leaving behind visible legacies; at the same time, China emerged as the springboard for ideas and cultures that spread throughout Asia and beyond, while the Ottoman empire created artwork reflecting its intermediary position between East and West.

At the dawn of the 20th century, countries debated the meaning of national identities and modern society. Meanwhile, European military power and colonial policies drastically altered the course of history. As their world changed, how did Asian countries react? Join us as we explore, in 14 lectures, the art and ideas that resulted from these interactions, conflicts, and exchanges.

Lectures will be held on Fridays, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM from Aug. 25 through Dec. 8, 2023. For registration information and a full list of speakers and topics, please visit the Society for Asian Art website. n

Join the Society for Asian Art

The Society for Asian Art (SAA) is an independent support organization for the Asian Art Museum that has been providing dynamic programs on Asian art and culture for more than 60 years. In addition to the Arts of Asia Lecture Series, SAA members enjoy literature and culture courses, visits to art galleries and artist studios, study groups, and opportunities to travel with scholars. We’d love to have you join us! For more information, please visit societyforasianart.org.

Left: Diversa Orbis Terræ, 1706, by Pieter Schenk (Dutch, 1660–1711). Ink and colors on paper. Asian Art Museum, Gift of David Salman and Walter Jared Frost, 2016.283. Photograph © Asian Art Museum. Right: Arrival of a Portuguese ship (detail), approx. 1620–1640. Japan. Six panel folding screen, ink, colors, and gold on paper. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60D77+. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

SCENE AT THE ASIAN

The new year brought time-honored traditions and invigorating activities to the museum — plus engaging conversations with artists, behind-the-scenes experiences for members, and more — offering connection, community, and celebration. n

A

Kongkee gives an artist talk inside the exhibition Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk

Party attendees enjoy the Snap Fiesta photo booth at the Member Opening Night for Kongkee: Warring States Cyberpunk

Jade Circle Members with Ayomi Yoshida in Peterson Room Garden.

Richard B. Gump Legacy Society members enjoy a tour of the Conservation Center. Photograph by Chris Constantine.

California state treasurer Fiona Ma; The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu; Derek Kan of the USPS Board of Governors; San Francisco mayor London Breed; President of the APA Heritage Foundation Claudine Cheng; Linda Ng, Executive Council National President of OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates; and Maddie Bartolome, singer of the national anthem, at the USPS Lunar New Year Stamp Dedication Ceremony.

The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu with one of the Three Princes from the Temple of Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, at the 2023 Lunar New Year Parade in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu and Gala Chair and Trustee Michelle Tai at the Asian Art Museum’s Tiger Gala. Photograph by Drew Altizer Photography.

member of the LionDanceME ensemble greets attendees of the USPS Lunar New Year Stamp Dedication Ceremony.

Hansong Zhang, Sally Shi, Alexa Zhang, Keira Zhang, and Donglai Shi at the 37th Annual Japanese New Year’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony. Photograph by Quincy Stamper.

ANNUAL DONOR REPORT 2122

ASIAN ART MUSEUM FOUNDERS CIRCLE

On the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Asian Art Museum announced the creation of the Asian Art Museum Founders Circle (formerly known as the Avery Brundage Founders Circle) to recognize donors whose cumulative giving to the museum totals $1 million or more. The museum celebrated the charter members of the Asian Art Museum Founders Circle in 2016 and continues to welcome new individuals and entities to the distinguished group.

Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin

Tateuchi Foundation

Barbara and Gerson Bakar

Estate of Dorothy J. Bakewell

Marjorie W. Bissinger

Mr. Richard C. Blum and The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Jane and Jack Bogart

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

The Brayton Wilbur Foundation

Brooks–Mathews Foundation

Eliza and Dean Cash

John S. and Sherry H. Chen

Ken Hao and Kathy Chiao

Carmen M. Christensen

Estate of C. Laan Chun

Henry and Vanessa Cornell

Lloyd and Margit Cotsen

Joan L. Danforth

Steve and Roberta Denning

Rajnikant T. and Helen Crane Desai

Dixon and Carol Doll

Family Foundation

Estate of Ernest and Virginia Esberg

Fred Eychaner

Sakurako and William Fisher

Virginia and Timothy Foo

Tully and Elise Friedman

Richard N. Goldman

Sarah and William Hambrecht

Nancy B. Hamon

Marsha Vargas Handley

Joan Diehl McCauley 1991 Trust

Kristine Johnson and Timothy Dattels

Maryellie and Rupert H. Johnson Jr.

Anne and Timothy F. Kahn

Kahng Foundation

Estate of Robert L. & Lois M. Kreuzberger

KT Foundation – In memory of Grace Kase and Harry Tsujimoto+

The Kuo Family

Mr. and Mrs. Chong-Moon Lee

Doris Shoong Lee and Theodore Bo Lee

Fred Levin & Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation

Lui Foundation

Kumar and Vijaya Malavalli

Constance Corcoran Miller

Tina and Hamid Moghadam

Maura and Robert Morey

Estate of Dr. Forrest Mortimer and Stuart M. Harvey

Suno K. Osterweis

Richard and Marianne Peterson

Estate of Elton L. Puffer

Leslie T. Schilling and Alexander H. Schilling

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

Vijay and Ram Shriram, The Dhanam Foundation

Ji Ing Soong

Estate of Mrs. Norma Stanberry

Rosina and Anthony Sun

Estate of Masako M. Suzuki

Henri and Tomoye Takahashi

Claire 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

Richard and Fukan Yen

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Bank of America

The Bernard Osher Foundation

California Arts Council

Columbia Foundation

Crankstart

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

East West Bank

The Freeman Foundation

The Henry Luce Foundation

Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Korea Foundation

Koret Foundation

National Endowment for the Humanities

The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation

Samsung

Society for Asian Art

The Starr Foundation

Target Wallis Foundation

Wells Fargo

William G. Irwin Charity Foundation

+ 2022 new members

Left: Nexus members at a private viewing of the Sakurako and William Fisher Collection on Wednesday, Jun. 9, 2022. Photograph by Katelyn Tucker.

ANNUAL DONORS

The Asian Art Museum gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous annual support for exhibitions, programs, and special events during fiscal year 2022. This support, together with our Nexus and Jade Circle membership programs, allows us to provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and deeping understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds.

Contributions received from Jul. 1, 2021 to Jun. 30, 2022. Major funding is provided annually by the City and County of San Francisco.

$100,000 and above

Barbara Bass Bakar

Vaishali Chadha and Family

Huifen Chan and Roelof Botha

Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen

Julia K. Cheng

Harry and Sandra Cheung

Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund

Fred Eychaner

Lata Krishnan and Ajay B. Shah

Ken Lamb

Fred Levin, The Shenson Foundation

Xin Liu

Sundar and Anjali Pichai

Ram and Vijay Shriram

Rosina and Anthony Sun

Jack and Susy Wadsworth

Diane B. Wilsey

Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang

Richard and Fukan Yen

Salle E. Yoo and Jeffrey P. Gray

Songyee Yoon

Koret Foundation

KT Foundation – In memory of Grace Kase and Harry Tsujimoto

Target

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

William Fries II Foundation

$50,000–$99,999

Michele and Joseph M. Alioto

Monica Yeung Arima and Adrian Arima

Cori and Tony Bates

Ruth Belvin

Kathy and Paul* Bissinger

William Mathews Brooks

Eliza and Dean Cash

Sumir Chadha

Chen Family Foundation

Claudine Cheng

Yogen and Peggy Dalal

Joan L. Danforth

Shashi and Dipanjan “DJ” Deb

Steven and Roberta Denning

Thao N. and Jerome L. Dodson

Dixon and Carol Doll Family Foundation

Duan Family

Virginia and Timothy Foo

Marsha Vargas Handley

Michael Hormel

Charles Huang and Lillian Qian

Anne and Timothy Kahn

Jennifer Ching-Yun Kao and R. Stanley Williams

Kiran Kapany

Mr. and Mrs. Chong-Moon Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lee

Gorretti Lo Lui

Melissa J. Ma

Dipti and Rakesh Mathur

Mac and Leslie McQuown

Nanci Nishimura and Joseph Cotchett

Vasant and Sumati Prabhu

Mindy Lin and Peter Sun

William and Michelle Tai

Mary Mayer Tanenbaum

Ken and Ruth Wilcox

Anonymous

American Friends of the Shanghai Museum

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

E. Rhodes and Leona B.

Carpenter Foundation

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art

Northern California Kaiser

Permanente

Society for Asian Art

Henri & Tomoye Takahashi

Charitable Foundation

Terra Foundation for American Art

$25,000–$49,999

Chip and Juliet Bergh

Patricia and Edwin L. Berkowitz

Ute Bowes

The Brayton Wilbur Foundation

Sakurako and William Fisher

Buck Gee and Mary Hackenbracht

Martha Sam Hertelendy

Michael and Ginger Hu

Kristine Johnson and Timothy Dattels

Aarti and Sandeep Johri

Stephen and Choongja Kahng

Bill Kim

Walter Knoepfel

John Maa, MD

Susan and Kevin McCabe

Michelle and Robert Friend Foundation

Constance C. Miller

Merrill Randol and Stephen Sherwin

Gerald and Jenny Shimizu Risk

John Sell

Tania and Michael Stepanian

Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin

Tateuchi Foundation

Lulu and Anthony Wang

Anonymous

Bloomberg First Republic Bank

Giorgio Armani

HSBC Bank USA

The Joseph and Mercedes McMicking Foundation

Neiman Marcus

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India

Walter & Elise Haas Fund

Anonymous

$15,000–$24,999

Betty and Bruce Alberts

Dr. Stephen R. Chun and Dr. Doris Sze Chun

Denise Fitch*

Walter Jared Frost and David Salman

Beverly Galloway and Chris Curtis

Mimi Gardner Gates

Richard and Paola Kulp

Thomas and Beverly Marlow

Mary Frances Poh

Crisanto and Evelyn Raimundo

Sack Family Fund

Michelle Wilcox and Robert F. Kuhling, Jr.

Mrs. Florence M. Wong and Mr. Justin Wong

Julia Zhen

California Arts Council

Grant Thornton LLP

Tan Family Education Foundation

The Sato Foundation

Zenni Optical

$10,000–$14,999

Richard C. Barker

Frank S. Bayley, III*

Paul* and Sandra Bessieres

Harrison Boyd

Byers Family

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander

D. Calhoun

Rajnikant T.* and Helen Crane Desai

Jared Ede and Fernan de Zarate

Doris Fisher

Anne Ja Forbes

James C. Gries

Robert C. Hermann

Mrs. Darlene D. Hines

Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein

William and Gretchen

Kimball Fund

Bianca and Merlin Larson

Raul Dondel

Ruth Murad

Ursula and Richard Ralph

May Chen and K.M. Tan, MD

Meena Vashee

Anand Veluswami

Daphne and Stuart Wells

Michael and Patrice Wilbur

Candace Zander Kahn

Dodge & Cox

The Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation

Gensler & Associates

J.W. and H.M. Goodman

Family Charitable Foundation

Microsoft

The Morrison & Foerster Foundation

Prologis

$5,000–$9,999

Midori and Paul Antebi

Trista Berkovitz and Stephen Pegors

Denise Bradley Tyson

Dr. Lynne Lopez Brewer

Jerry and Jean Byma

Frances Campra and Scott Campra-Brantley

Lyman and Carol Casey

David and Karin Chamberlain

Chang Mooi Family Foundation

Dinny Winsor Chase

Ms. Clementine Chen and Ms. Alissa Ford

William and Carmen Cheung

Lily and Riaz Moledina

Penelope Clark

Jo Ann and Julien Collins

Phoebe Cowles

Jane DeBevoise

Janet L. Dobrovolny

Margaret M. Dueringer

Ms. Margaret H. Edwards and Mr. William T. Espey

Pauline Eveillard and Douglas Gould

Reverend Richard G. Fabian and Mr. Stephen Holtzman

Dr. Vincent Fausone, Jr.

Ayame Flint

Sameer Gandhi and Monica Lopez

Michael Garland and Virginia Coe

Mr. Donald Gibson

Dessa P. Goddard

Pat and Marvin Gordon

Ms. Kalena Gregory

Margaret B. Handelman

Geoffrey Bruce Hayes

Kathleen G. Henschel and John W. Dewes

Mr. and Mrs.* Austin E. Hills

Florence Hitchcock

Andrea L. Hong and James S. Parsons

Dr. Mary Hunt

Sung Jin and Frank Ingriselli

Jeffrey and Anne M. Katz

Mr. Eugene Kim and Ms. Christine Kim

Randall E. Laroche and David G. Laudon

James and Katherine Lau

Anita Lee and Family in memory of Mayor Edwin M. Lee

Dr. and Mrs. Richard H. Lee, Jr.

Timothy and Joy Light

Marcia Linn

Marie and Barry Lipman

Arnold and Junko Low

John and Peggy Mathers

Installation view of I was, I am, I will be, 2020, by Chanel Miller (American, b. 1992). Process color print on vinyl. Commissioned by the Asian Art Museum, courtesy of the artist. © Chanel Miller. Image © Asian Art Museum.

Joyce Hing McGowan

Mrs. Betty Meissner

Rhoda and Richard Mesker

Virginia and Donald Meyer

Guy Miller

Dr. Robert Mintz and Dr. Beth Arman

Michele A. Monson

Cathy and Howard Moreland

Jim and Becky Morgan

Ms. Clare M. Murphy

Robert Oaks and Fred Sheng

Lynne T. Ogata

Diane Ososke

Carol Potter Peckham

Marianne H. Peterson

Gregory Potts

Ruth Quigley

Richard Raisler Foundation

Shelagh and Tom* Rohlen

Mr. Dalfred E. Ross and Ms. Linda C. Lucas

William and Renée Rothmann

Collette and Peter Rothschild

John M. Sanger

Kirsten and Christopher Shilakes

Mary Lou Shott

Richard P. Shrieve & Yvonne Don

Peter and Beverly Sinton

Barbara Sonnenblick

Grace C. Spence

Susan Steer

Mr. Thomas C. Stoiber and Mrs. Diane J. Stoiber

Sandi and John Thompson

Ada S.Y. Tom

Mr. John K. Uilkema and Dr. Gail G. Uilkema

Mark Valentine

Faye Wilson

King Won and Linda Won

Dr. Colin & Mrs. Silvana Wong

Endora Hsia and Dennis Wong

Dr. Stanley K. Yarnell and Mr. Victor C. Rowley

Lowell S. Young, M.D.

Sally Shi and Hansong Zhang

Stephen and Connie Zilles

Anonymous (2)

Atthowe Fine Art Services

John and Marcia Goldman Foundation

Humane, Inc.

The Sikh Foundation, U.S.A.

Sikh Women’s Organization of Central California

$2,500–4,999

Neaera and Edward Baer

D. Ren Brown

Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund

Ms. Shirley Gray-Lewis

Sallie Griffith

Gwen Hinze and Ernest Chow

Ms. Nancy Jacobs

Mr. Hao Ko and Ms. Huei-yu

Fay Wang

Pearl and Eddie Ko

Mr. Peter D. Lit

Betty J. Louie

Farah and Victor Makras

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Wilson Meeks

Julie and Alexandra Morgan

The Richards Family Charitable Fund

Arthur & Toni Rembe Rock

Barbara and

Richard Rosenberg

Dr. Emily J. Sano

Ms. Eleanor Sue and Ms. Wendy Mines

Mr. and Ms. Alyosha

Verzhbinsky

Roy J. Wu

The Wu Family

Dr. John S. Yao and Dr. Pauline A. Mysliwiec

Adyen

Apple Matching Gift Program

Canyon Partners LLC

Chevron Matching Gift Program

Epic-Bio

Google, Inc.

Kimball Foundation

Matson Navigation Company

Plaid, Inc.

$1,000–2,499

Derek and Etsuko

Kobata Adelman

John and Kaaren Antoun

Ravinder K. Arora, M.D.

Ms. Orit Atzmon and Ms. Maia Shoham

Christy Bartlett and Ken Tuomi

Mr. James Bays

Mr. Robert Beadle

Stuart Berkowitz, Ph.D.

Lucey Bowen and Richard Sites

Peter and Margaret Boyer

Kittie Brodsky

Rosemarie and Dean L. Buntrock

Ms. Andrea Burhoe

Adrianne and Robert Burton

Terrie Campbell and James Henderson

Ms. Alexa Canova Parker and Mr. Greg Parker

Ms. Karen G. Castle

Mr. Thomas Cerny

Ms. Bertina Chang

E. Cheng-Hsin Chang

Donald and Eunice Chee

Ms. Joan Chen and Dr. Peter Y. Hui

Yvonne and Ralph Cheng

Mrs. Eunice Childs

Mr. and Mrs. David T. Ching

Teresa Clark and Martin Lay

David Clayton and Gayle Dekellis

Glenn and Dianne Colville

Jay A. and Nadege Conger

Mrs. Tien T. Bui and Mr. James M. Connell

Ms. Alice M. Corning

Mr. John Coyle and Mr. Jose Alcazar

Ms. Jennifer Cozzone

Carol Cravens, Malcolm Cravens Foundation

Mr. Dennis Cruz

Dory Culver and Walter Nirenberg

Rajen Dalal and Linda Burch

Mrs. Naoko Dalla Valle

Larry L. Darnell

Mr. Philip S. Dauber and Mrs. Elayne R. Dauber

Richard and Shruti de Silva

Left: Installation view of teamLab, Sketch Ocean, 2020, interactive digital installation. © teamLab, courtesy Pace Gallery.

Blair Dean and Robert Cooter

Pamela Dekema and Richard Champe

Dvonia C. Dekker

Mr. and Mrs. Robert

R. Demaria

Mr. Kevin J. Derr

Mrs. Anne Breckenridge Dorsey

Daniel Drake and Lee Steinback-Drake

Abigail and Egon Durban

Ms. Francesca Eastman and Mr. Edward Goodstein

Ms. Janet Eddleman

Mr. Robert A. Ellis

Ms. Karen K. Eng

Mrs. Dianne W. Eyer

George and Susan Fesus

Jeanne and Frank Fischer

Peter J. Flagg

Helen Gan

Raj-Ann Gill

Malvina Gock-Chan and John Chan

Norman Goldfarb and Miriam Yelton

Frederick L. Gordon

Ms. Jeannie Graham

Mr. Anthony Gravante and Ms. Rana Bayadi

Lizelle and Martin Green

Dorothy D. Gregor

Carl Grunfeld, M.D., Ph.D.

Ms. Christine Halaburka

J. Halvorson

Dr. Joseph Han and Ms. Amy Lum

Ms. Sato Hashizume

Monica and Stephen Henderson

Ms. Catharine C. Holden

Mr. and Mrs. Dexter W. Hong

Mr. Thomas J. Hudak

Dr. Abbas Jaffer

Ms. Anne Jamieson

Mrs. Lenora L. Jang

William and Nancy Kales

Mrs. Polly Kam and Mr. Dennis Fong

Ron and Barbara Kaufman

Mr. James J. Keefe and Ms. Lorna Lee

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Kelly

The Keyes Sulat Family Fund

Dr. Kumja Paik Kim

Mr. and Ms. Ken J. King

William G. and Barbara Kinsey

Marsha and Michael Lasky

Dr. Ernest Lee and Dr. Letah Y. Lee

Mr. Fay Lee

Kewchang Lee, M.D. and Kevin Deyager

Nancy and Peter Lee

Mrs. Sophie Lee

Sherlyn and Russell Leong

Dr. Elizabeth Lewis and Dr. David Thier

Mr. Dave Lindsey

Mr. and Mrs. John Linehan

Ms. Kathleen L. Anderson and Mr. Jeffrey A. Lipkin

Beverly and Peter Lipman

Catherine and Michael C. Liu

Carrie and Ronald Ludwig

Jean and Lindsay MacDermid

Mamie Moy Memorial Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mar

Dr. Georgia L. May

John McCallister

Ms. Nan McDowell

Dr. Patricia J. McEveney

Lore Harp McGovern

Consuelo H. McHugh

Dr. and Mrs. David J. Menke

Ms. Michelle Mercer and Mr. Bruce Golden

Ms. Melly Metcalf

Elizabeth and Robert Meyer

Buffington Clay Miller and Christine Tieu

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Moorhouse, Jr.

Ms. Lise Mousel

Ms. Kristal Hale and Mr. Thomas Murray

Ms. Catherine S. Muther and Mr. Dennis Aftergut

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Myers

Ms. Linda Nanbu

Jim Newman

Ms. Marie Oh Huber and Mr. John Huber

I One

Mr. Clayton R. Ong and Mrs. Barbara M. Ong

Paul S. Nadler Family

Charitable Trust

Jamel and Tom Perkins

Roland and Caryl Petersen

Nancy and Thomas Pickford

Edith Piness

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Price

Mr. Carl Quong and Mrs. Sandra Quong

Mrs. Leslie W. Rabine

Richard Gump Trust

Christopher and Julie Ridley

Pamela and Richard Rigg

Dr. Marcia Roberts-Deutsch

Ms. Diana V. Rogers

Arthur and Lois Roth

Pamela H. Royse

Jeannie Sack and Jordan H. Sachs

Dr. Catherine Sanger and Mr. Brandon Yoder

Felipe R. Santiago and Barry T. Joseph

Ms. Jean F. Schulz

Mr. Jason Seifer and Mr. Brian Ayer

Ingrid Lai and William Shu

Elvira Sidhu and Gursharan Singh Sidhu

Matthew Simis and Michael Gray

Sher and Jean Singh

Paul and Mary Slawson

Terry Smalley and Suzanne Portero

Mr. Steve Smart and Mr. Javier Barreto

Mrs. Gail P. Soldavini

Ms. Elaine H. Stutt

Charlotte Tieh

Barbara and Clay Timon

Diane Tokugawa and Alan Gould

Mr. Leonard Tom

Joaquim Trias and Yuka Ichijo

Nicholas and Elizabeth Unkovic

Ms. France Viana

Paul Violich

Christopher Walker and Wei Wei Hsing

Ms. Hsiao Chih Wang

Ms. Weiping Wang*

Mr. and Mrs. Kin Y. Watt

Mr. Dennis D. White and Mr. Lawrence Wu

Pat Wilde

Mr. John R. Williams

Ms. Judith M. Tornese and Mr. Jerry Winters

Dr. Ben C. Wong

Ms. Eileen C. Wong

Dr. Olga F. Woo

Felix and Margaret Wu

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Wu

Daxue (Dacia) Xu and Xiaoze Xie

Marcella and Kimberly Yano

Ms. Elaine L. Yip

Anonymous (3)

Estate and Trust Gifts

Estate of Betty A. Belina

Frederic S. Whitman Trust

Estate of Frank Hand

Estate of Robert L. & Lois M. Kreuzberger

In Memory of Bill F. and Margaret Ong Seah

Gifts of Art

Betty and Bruce Alberts

Ben and Frances Burr

Raj* and Helen Desai

Richard Fabian

Ms. Pamela Fischer

Marianna V. Guevarra

Titi Halle

Estate of Frank Hand

Thomas John Hudak

Miran Lim Lee, supported by the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, Korea

Youngmin Lee

Fred M. Levin

Hubert Li

Estate of Chiura Obata

Younhee Paik

Perrotin Gallery

Ms. Louise A. Russell

Shiho Sasaki in honor of Hiroshi Matsushita

Edith Starr and Alice Starr Wagg

Surinder Kaur Dhami

Family Collection

Eiko W. Tom

Gloria and Peter Yee

Anonymous Gift (2)

In-Kind Support

Hilton Hotels of San Francisco

Union Square

Ram and Vijay Shriram United Airlines

Endowed Funds

The Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions

Arlene Schnitzer Endowed Fund for Chinese Art

Barbara and Gerson Bakar

Curator of Chinese Art Endowed Fund

Betty Bogart Endowment Fund

The Brayton Wilbur Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Lawler Fund for Education

D. Graeme Keith Endowment for C. Laan Chu Library

The Desai India Endowment

Dorothy, Thomas, and Marguerite Warren Fund

Ernest and Virginia Esberg Fund

The Forrest Mortimer and Stuart Harvey Fund for the Acquisition and Conservation of Asian Art

Gladys Klockars Barber Endowment Fund

James M. Gerstley Fund for International Exhibitions

Grace Kase Director of Education Fund+

Joan Danforth Fund for Asian Art and Culture

John S. and Sherry H. Chen Endowed Fund for Chinese Art and Programming

Kao/Williams Contemporary Art Exhibitions Fund

Korean Endowment Fund

Lawrence and Gorretti Lui

Hyde Street Art Wall Mural Fund

Lloyd Cotsen Japanese Bamboo Endowment

Lois and Robert Kreuzberger

Memorial Fund for Art Acquisition

Malavalli Family Fund

Mee Y. Chow Endowment

Mellon Foundation

Endowment for Head of Conservation

Olive Deming Memorial Fund

Paul C. and Phyllis Wattis

Fund for Chair of S.E.

Asian Art

Paul E. Miller Endowment for Publications

Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein Endowment Fund

Phyllis C. Wattis General Endowment Fund

Richard B. Gump Fund

Society for Asian Art Endowment Fund

The Starr Fund

Stuart M. Harvey Fund

William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education

* Deceased + 2022 new funds

Installation view of A day of two Suns (2019), 2019, by Lam Tung Pang (b. 1971, active Hong Kong). Installation with projected video, sound, paper scrolls, plywood sculptures, and found objects. Asian Art Museum, Museum purchase, Frederick S. Whitman Trust Acquisition Fund, 2019.69. Photograph © Asian Art Museum.

FEATURED EVENTS

All programs are free for museum members and take place in person at the museum unless otherwise noted. Details subject to change; please visit asianart.org for updates.

2 / SUNDAY

ONGOING

Takeout Tuesdays: Lunchtime Conversations About Art

TUESDAYS

12–12:45 PM Online via Zoom

Public Docent Tours

MARCH THROUGH AUGUST

Visit our online calendar for upcoming special exhibition and collection docent tours. Members receive a discount on private docent tours; contact members@asianart.org for details.

The Intersection in the Shriram Experiential Learning Center, an Interactive Space for Drop-in Art Making

DAILY

Draw with Reina Activity Pack

DAILY

Pick up at Coat Check

Art Cards Self-Guided Gallery Activity

DAILY

Pick up at Coat Check

MARCH

16 / THURSDAY

Madame Gandhi Live in Concert

7–8:30 PM

Samsung Hall

$15 plus museum admission

26 / SUNDAY

Printmaking Workshop for Families with Patricia Wakida

12:30–3:30 PM

Koret Classroom

$10 (includes materials); ages 8+

APRIL

1 / SATURDAY

Printmaking Workshop with Tomoko Murakami

12:30–4 PM

Koret Classroom

$40 (includes materials)

Family Fun Day and Storytelling

11 AM–2:30 PM

Koret Classroom

8 / THURSDAY

Teacher Workshop: Beyond Bollywood and Storytelling through Dance

9 AM–12:00 PM

Koret Classroom Pay what you can

9 / SUNDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with Noorani Dance Co.

1 and 2:30 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

13 / THURSDAY

ShadowLight: 50 Years of Shadow Theater

6–8 PM

Samsung Hall

20 / THURSDAY

The Last Hoisan Poets and Del Sol Quartet Celebrate the Art and Life of Bernice Bing

6:30–7:30 PM

Samsung Hall

27 / THURSDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with Noorani Dance Co.

6 and 7 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

MAY 7 / SUNDAY

AAPI Heritage Month Cultural Celebration

11 AM–4 PM Museum-wide

14 / SUNDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with I Madé Moja

1 and 2:30 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

18 / THURSDAY

Hien Huynh Dance Performance

6:30–8 PM

Samsung Hall

20 / SATURDAY

Beyond Bollywood Dance Series: Chaksam-pa and Aerodance

1–3 PM

Samsung Hall

25 / THURSDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with I Madé Moja

6 and 7 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

JUNE

4 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day and Storytelling

11 AM–2:30 PM

Koret Classroom

8 / THURSDAY

Beyond Bollywood Dance Series: Queering Dance Traditions

6:30–7:30 PM

Samsung Hall

11 / SUNDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with Urban Jazz Dance Co.

1 and 2:30 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

22 / THURSDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with Urban Jazz Dance Co.

6 and 7 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

JULY

2 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day and Storytelling

11 AM–2:30 PM

Koret Classroom

9 / SUNDAY

Pop-up Program: Dance Dialogue with Charya Burt

1 and 2:30 PM

Yang Yamazaki Pavilion

15 / SATURDAY

Anting Anting: Warrior Arts in Dance and Martial Arts Time TBD

Samsung Hall

AUGUST

6 / SUNDAY Family Fun Day and Storytelling

11 AM–2:30 PM

Koret Classroom

Madame Gandhi performs live in concert Thursday Mar. 6 in Samsung Hall.

FEATURED MEMBER EVENTS

We’re always planning new events and programs for you to enjoy as a member of the Asian Art Museum. Please visit the online calendar for a full and regularly updated schedule and for more details on the events listed below. Events take place in person at the museum unless otherwise noted.

ONGOING

Members-Only Docent Tours

Our knowledgeable and friendly docents will share insights about the collection and special exhibitions.

Tours are held on the first Monday at 1:30 PM and third Saturday at 10:30 AM of each month. Reservations are required in advance.

MARCH

29 /WEDNESDAY

Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art

Opening Reception

6–8 PM

Jade Circle and Nexus Members

30 / THURSDAY

Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art

Member Preview

10 AM–5 PM

Open to all members

30 / THURSDAY

Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art

Member Opening Night

6–9 PM

Patron, Friend, and Member Premium Levels

APRIL

April is member appreciation month!

6 / WEDNESDAY

Past Continuous Tense Tour and Talk with Lam Tung Pang and Curator Abby Chen

2–4 PM

Jade Circle Gold and Nexus Members

12 / WEDNESDAY

Annual Preview Luncheon

Jade Circle, Nexus, and Patron Levels

25 / TUESDAY

Nexus Dinner

6–10 PM

Nexus Members

26 / WEDNESDAY

The Quiet Beauty of Woodblock

Prints

Virtual Lecture Series

10–11:30 AM

Open to all members Online Via Zoom

28–30 / FRIDAY–SUNDAY

Double Discount Shopping Days

Cha May Ching Museum

Boutique

Double your member discount to get 20% off in store and online. Plus, take an additional 10% off clearance items.

30 / SUNDAY

Member Appreciation Morning

10-11:30 AM

Open to all members

MAY

10 / WEDNESDAY

Beyond Bollywood

Virtual Lecture Series

10–11:30 AM

Open to all members

JUNE

7 / WEDNESDAY

Director’s Reception

6–9 PM

Jade Circle Gold and Nexus Members

14 / WEDNESDAY

Glorious Lacquerware

Virtual Lecture Series

10–11:30 AM

Open to all members

Online Via Zoom

15 / THURSDAY

Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds

Member Preview

1–8 PM

Open to all members

JULY

12 / WEDNESDAY

The Language of Flowers in Asian Art

Virtual Lecture Series

10–11:30 AM

Open to all members

Online Via Zoom

AUGUST

9 / WEDNESDAY

When the Tiger Smoked a Pipe: The Art of Korea

Virtual Lecture Series

10–11:30 AM

Open to all members Online Via Zoom

SEPTEMBER

13 / WEDNESDAY

Takashi Murakami: Unfamiliar

People — Swelling of Monsterized

Human Ego

Annual Gala and After-Party

Tickets required

14 / THURSDAY

Takashi Murakami: Unfamiliar

People — Swelling of Monsterized Human Ego

Opening Reception

Jade Circle and Nexus Members

21 / THURSDAY

Takashi Murakami: Unfamiliar

People — Swelling of Monsterized

Human Ego

Opening Celebration

Patron, Friend, and Member

Premium Levels

6–7 PM

(Public hours 7–10 PM)

ASIAN ART MUSEUM

Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art & Culture asianart.org

200 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 USA

U.S. Postage

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco