A NEW ERA
Welcome to the digital members’ magazine. Below are a few tips to make sure you get the most from your experience.
FULL PAGE VIEW
Click the zoom icon on the lower right of the page window to enter full page mode for easier readability.
VIDEO CONTENT
Roll over video images and click to view.
CLICKABLE LINKS
Underlined text will either take you to expanded content or open your email to contact us directly.
READER SURVEY
Please tell us what you think about the magazine (and more) on page 43.
Abbot Kobori Geppo of Kyoto’s Daitokuji Ryokoin Zen temple offers guidance to the museum’s installation team on presenting Chestnuts, one of two unforgettable masterpieces on view in our once-in-a-lifetime exhibition The Heart of Zen, which closed on Dec. 31. nFROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to our first all-digital issue! In just one example of our ongoing transformation to meet the needs of the 21st century, the magazine you love is growing even more robust and interactive. As you may recall from my introductory notes in recent issues, the museum’s movement toward centering experience includes a renewed emphasis on innovative digital content that engages audiences in unexpected new ways. In the following pages, you’ll meet some of the key team members whose creativity and expertise are helping to guide our transformation; you’ll also have the chance to learn more about the memorable experiences we’re developing to make upcoming exhibitions even more dynamic and appealing.
SPRING 2024 VOL. XIII ISSUE 1
Our next chapter has begun: thanks to your support and enthusiasm, the museum begins this era with an expert team and a slate of exceptional exhibitions. As a scholar of Chinese bronzes, I’m particularly thrilled to welcome you to Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age, opening April 19, which showcases recent archaeological finds that have revolutionized our understanding of the mysterious Yangzi River Valley cultures and their influence on Chinese history and culture. Join us to unravel the mystery and let your curiosity take flight! n
SEE YOU AT THE MUSEUM
Jay Xu THE BARBARA BASS BAKAR DIRECTOR AND CEONEW EXPERTISE NEW EXPERIENCES
Meet the leaders of our Experience Division, central to the creation of dynamic and unprecedented art experiences at the museum. As an introduction, we’re pleased to share the following Q&A-style conversations with our new colleagues, Deputy Director and Chief Experience Officer Emiko Usui, Director of Experience Design Garance Marneur, and Director of Digital Content Mark Sabb.
EMIKO USUI Deputy Director and Chief Experience Officer
You’ve joined the museum at a pivotal time in its ongoing evolution. How would you characterize this moment?
Over the last decade, the museum has expanded its mission — redefining its commitment to showcasing the diverse and varied cultures of Asia by casting an even wider net that includes Asian American art and culture. As members have likely read in previous issues, to align this goal with the needs of 21st-century audiences, a five-year plan (2023–2027) has been developed with the central goal of becoming an experience-centered organization.
Today, the museum is uniquely positioned to bring relevant and real experiences with Asian and Asian American art to life for contemporary audiences. That it has shifted its focus in this direction, and that its leadership and board have made a commitment to taking risks to achieve that goal, are exciting prospects.
What’s one thing you’d like members to know about you?
That is a tough question. I suppose I’d say that I will be looking for integrity, creativity, and collaboration in everything I do at the Asian Art Museum, and that I bring a wide range of professional experiences to the work — from curatorial research, exhibitions, and collections management to publishing, content strategy, and branding, as well as exposure to the use of digital technologies in both the museum and private sectors. I am thrilled to be a part
of the Asian Art Museum’s next chapter and I hope that my long experience in museum work — and my personal vision about how teams can innovate and creatively collaborate — can be useful resources.
What role do members play in the museum’s evolution toward an experience-driven future?
Membership may be one of the most important factors for the future of the Asian Art Museum and every museum. Museum members may be able to show us more about why Asian and Asian American art matters to real people. When they purchase a membership, they are investing in more than a single visit’s worth of art experiences; they can help us understand what a museum needs to do to keep audiences engaged.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming months and years?
I look forward to working with my new colleagues to expand the boundaries of the traditional museum experience, especially using digital technologies. I also want to help the museum center its audiences’ interests and needs, and to connect both traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American art with what is important to them.
GARANCE MARNEUR Director of Experience
For someone who might be expecting a more traditional art encounter from their museum visit, what can they expect from an experience-centered exhibition?
While they can still look forward to expertly curated artworks and insightful didactics, we’ve sprinkled in a little extra magic — a sensory journey, if you will.
For our upcoming Phoenix Kingdoms exhibition (page 6), for example, imagine stepping into a landscape reminiscent of the very excavation sites where our treasures were unearthed. The ambiance is immersive, drawing visitors into the heart of the ancient world. As they proceed through the exhibition, additional interactive and sensory elements heighten their senses and deepen their connection to the art.
Still, the objects, didactics, and curatorial information uphold the familiar. So, for those seeking a traditional art experience, fear not — you’ll still find what you love. But for those open to a little extra enchantment, our exhibition promises to elevate your visit.
Phoenix Kingdoms is the museum’s first major exhibition to benefit from your expertise. What part of this show’s experience design are you most looking forward to sharing with members?
I’m particularly excited about the holistic sensory journey we’ve crafted for the entrance and exit from the exhibition space. Picture this: a towering 16-foot-tall crack, a symbolic gateway
between worlds, beckoning them to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Passing through this monumental entrance, visitors have an opportunity to play with an “interactive phoenix” before they’re enveloped in a symphony of sights and sounds, setting the stage for the narrative to unfold. At the end, as they bid farewell to Phoenix Kingdoms, they’re bathed in the golden and red light of the phoenix’s rebirth, symbolizing a moment of profound transformation.
It’s this integration of storytelling, sensory stimulation, and emotional resonance that I’m most eager to share with our members and keep developing for future exhibitions. Through our immersive experience design, we’re not just presenting art — we’re inviting our visitors to become active participants in the unfolding narrative, leaving them with memories that linger long after they’ve left the museum.
What do you enjoy or appreciate most so far about the Asian Art Museum?
Besides its awe-inspiring collections, it’s the palpable sense of community and inclusivity that truly sets this institution apart. The Asian Art Museum stands as a beacon of cultural exchange, a sanctuary where stories from across the vast tapestry of Asia converge to weave tales of humanity’s collective journey. Here, art transcends barriers of language and ideology, serving as a bridge that unites us all in a shared celebration of creativity and heritage.
MARK SABB Director of Digital Content
What drew you to working at the Asian Art Museum?
I have been a admirer of the Asian Art Museum for well over a decade and my role as an arts professional in San Francisco has afforded several opportunities to collaborate with the museum, during which I was consistently impressed by the team’s openness and collaborative spirit. These experiences made me feel a strong connection to the museum’s mission and community.
An increased digital experience seems to be a growing trend in museums around the globe. What is exciting to you about expanded digital capabilities in the museum world?
As an industry, we’re at a pivotal moment where museums are increasingly recognizing digital as its own distinct realm, teeming with unique possibilities that extend beyond our physical spaces. This shift is thrilling because it signals the beginning of a new era in how we create, distribute, and interact with art and content.
We are seeing an exciting trend where digital and immersive art installations are being presented alongside traditional art, expanding narratives to literally include the viewer in the story. This not only enhances the interactive experience but also democratizes the way narratives are constructed, making art more accessible and personalized.
Museums are becoming essential partners for technologists and futurists, offering fertile ground for experimentation and development. This collaboration not only propels the museum sector forward but also enriches the technological landscape with cultural depth and diversity.
How might members and visitors see enhanced digital content and technology in their Asian Art Museum experience?
Imagine donning a VR headset to step into a historically accurate or reimagined immersive reconstruction of an ancient site or artwork’s original setting, offering a deeper understanding and connection to the exhibition. Augmented Reality could allow visitors to point their phones at art to see additional information, artist interviews, or historical context pop up right before their eyes. Through Metaverse and Web3, we envision creating experiences accessible from anywhere in the world. Lastly, AI could personalize the museum experience, suggesting tailored tours based on individual interests and past interactions, making every visit unique.
It’s important to me, and to all of us at the Asian Art Museum, that our adoption of digital content and technology goes beyond mere novelty. We aim to inspire our visitors and uncover deeper narratives about the art and artists we feature, making every encounter with our collections more insightful, engaging, and memorable. n
We value input from members and invite you to share your thoughts by taking a brief survey at the end of this publication. Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand how we can enhance our digital offerings to better serve your interests and needs in the future. Together, we can shape a more engaging and enriching digital experience at the Asian Art Museum.
THE LAST SPLENDOR OF CHINA’S BRONZE AGE
APR 19–JUL 22, 2024
THE AKIKO YAMAZAKI AND JERRY YANG PAVILION
In the fields of art history and archaeology, perhaps nothing is more exhilarating than rediscovering an ancient civilization — yet what is “lost” is never truly so. The groundbreaking exhibition Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age brings to light two legendary kingdoms of the Zhou dynasty, foundational to China’s Bronze Age culture, whose traces were buried by the ravages of warfare and time. This exhibition of more than 150 artworks from five major Chinese museums showcases some of the most significant new archaeological discoveries in China, including many works recently restored and never before on public display. Traveling for the first time outside China, in bronze, jade, silk, gold, and lacquer, the artistry, spirit, extravagance, and brilliance of the Zhou dynasty are at last revealed in all their glory to audiences in the United States.
During the Zhou dynasty, the ancient Zeng (approx. 1040–400 BCE) and Chu (approx. 1030–223 BCE), two phoenixworshipping vassal states, thrived along the Yangzi River, a cradle of China’s Bronze Age civilizations. According to written historical records, the last vassal states of the Zhou dynasty were obliterated in 221 BCE by the all-conquering Qin Shi Huangdi, the infamous first emperor of China who commanded the creation of the Terracotta Warriors. Remarkable archaeological finds unearthed from aristocratic tombs have at last uncovered the splendid evidence of these sophisticated kingdoms on the southern edge of early China.
“Many of the artworks in Phoenix Kingdoms are considered national treasures due to their rarity and their beauty; they are truly ‘missing links’ between myth and recorded history,” says Dr. Fan J. Zhang, exhibition organizer and Barbara and Gerson Bakar Curator of Chinese Art. “Our exhibition highlights the importance of the Yangzi River region in forming a recognizably southern style that would influence centuries of Chinese art and religion.”
A globally recognized specialist in early China, The Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO Dr. Jay Xu observes, “We are living in what is truly a Golden Age of archaeology — Chinese archaeology, that is. There were always obvious gaps in the record that never made sense. Ever wonder why Chinese art brims with phoenixes, tigers, and snake-like dragons? Where do the styles we think of today as distinctly Chinese come from? Phoenix Kingdoms fills that gap with some of the most historically important, as well as eye-catching, finds in recent memory — splendors that bring you face to face with the ancient past.”
Under Xu’s leadership, the Asian Art Museum has been a global trendsetter in exhibiting Chinese archaeology outside Asia. Phoenix Kingdoms serves as the third exhibition of a trilogy the museum has presented — the first being China’s Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor’s Legacy, on view in 2013, followed by Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries from China’s Han Dynasty in 2017.
In Phoenix Kingdoms, the sheer variety of archaeological discoveries — bronze vessels, jade ornaments, musical instruments, weapons, and lacquerwares — illuminates the wealth and sophistication of Chinese material culture some 2,500 years ago. Essential themes include beliefs in sacred birds and the worship of animal spirits. Longstanding motifs, symbols, and forms — theriomorphic spirit guides, dramatic flying creatures, and ritual face coverings — inspired artisans in the Yangzi valley heartland for more than a thousand years.
Highlights from Zeng and Chu bronzeworking masters include the base of a drum stand from the tomb of the Marquis Yi of Zeng (approx. 433 BCE), formed from the intertwined bodies of sixteen writhing serpent-like creatures. Interlocking forms, individually cast, playfully challenge the viewer’s eye and reveal a taste for luxury and extravagance. Among technological marvels is
gold vessel yet discovered from early China. This lidded bowl and slotted spoon were likely reserved for the personal use of the Marquis himself. Gold, which does not tarnish, appears indestructible. This rare metal was key to the development of China’s cult of immortality. Here, the benefits of imperishability were likely believed to flow from the golden vessels to their owner.
The large lacquer-on-wood painted drum with pedestal design of phoenixes on tigers’ backs (approx. 300 BCE; a detail appears on this issue's cover) represents the Chu’s distinctive tradition of sculpture and music, as well as the ritual importance of musical instruments. The circular drum, dramatically framed by outward-facing phoenixes, at once elegant and fierce, exudes essential symbolism. Because phoenixes were thought to possess the magical power of transcending different realms, they were revered as sacred creatures who guided deceased souls and helped humans achieve immortality.
EXHIBITION CATALOG
The exhibition is accompanied by a 240-page publication, Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age, featuring essays from leading scholars and 324 color images. Available in soft ($40) and hard ($65) covers at the museum’s Cha May Ching Boutique and online at store. asianart.org. Members always receive a 10% discount.
“Many of the artworks in Phoenix Kingdoms are considered national treasures due to their rarity and their beauty; they are ‘missing links’ between myth and recorded history.”
— DR. FAN J. ZHANG, EXHIBITION ORGANIZER AND BARBARA AND GERSON BAKAR CURATOR OF CHINESE ART
MODERN MYTHMAKING
HAMBRECHT CONTEMPORARY GALLERY
Into View: New Voices, New Stories features newly acquired contemporary work from 14 Asian American and Asian diaspora artists, many local to the Bay Area. A mix of sculpture, painting, ceramics, prints, and mixed media, the exhibition centers on themes of personal mythmaking, with artists rewriting familiar stories into empowering narratives befitting a modern age and a hopeful future. Works such as Heroine by Rupy C. Tut (b. India, 1985), a reimagined scene from a Punjabi folktale, and Nuwa’s Hands by Cathy Lu (b. United States, 1984), a contemporary envisioning of a Chinese mythological goddess, reclaim centuriesold folktales to create liberated tales for a modern era.
“These stories are about imagining alternatives, generating the kind of fables these artists would like to have heard as children, perhaps to guide the lives they lead today — but which they now create through their art rather than receiving them through tradition alone,” says Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art and Programs Naz Cuguoglu, curator of Into View: New Voices, New Stories “Personally, I wanted to highlight how these artists are challenging a historically male-dominated art world through the retelling of traditional tales.”
This exhibition affirms the museum’s commitment to giving a platform to Asian American and Asian diasporic artists and
experiences. “As a museum, inevitably, you become a gatekeeper,” says Head of Contemporary Art Abby Chen. “At the same time, you must also be conscious that you are a gate opener. It’s critical that we open the gate for the Asian American and Asian diasporic experience, and provide that representation for our guests, as well as for the artists.” n
OPEN AIR. OPEN MINDS. OPEN NOW.
EAST WEST BANK ART TERRACE
Enjoy a breath of fresh air and encounter eye-catching, large-scale works of contemporary art on the museum’s long-awaited East West Bank Art Terrace. Planning and design for this expansive, open-air art space commenced in 2015, with construction beginning in 2018; originally scheduled to open alongside the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion but delayed by the pandemic, the opening of the Art Terrace in August of 2023 caps off our forward-looking, multiyear expansion project aimed at transforming the visitor experience. Construction of the Pavilion and Art Terrace has been made possible by For All: the Campaign for the Asian Art Museum and the continued generosity of our dedicated members and supporters.
A s the city’s largest rooftop art terrace, the new 7,500 sq. ft. outdoor venue provides a destination where guests can experience special live performances, enjoy refreshments, and participate in exciting museum events. Designed by wHY Architects, the space also serves to connect and unify the museum’s various architectural styles — knitting together the beaux-arts, postmodern, and contemporary. Its location greatly
enhances the flow of the museum experience, bringing the outdoors into the museum visit in an artful way.
In addition to programs, performances, and gatherings, the Art Terrace features large-scale contemporary sculptures and commissioned installations. The first group of works includes eclectic offerings from three contemporary artists. Based on fantastical, anamorphic decorations inscribed on Chinese bronze vessels, Taotie (2022) by Kongkee (b. 1977, active Hong Kong and Vancouver) uses electric pink neon to connect the ancient to the omnipresent messages of our social media age. Breast Stupa Topiary (2013/2019) by Pinaree Sanpitak (Thai, b. 1961) pays elegant homage to the contours of the human form and ancient Buddhist monuments that played dual roles as both burial memorials and axis mundi connecting the heavens and the earth. Finally, Luminous Ground (2018/2020), a ceramic mural by Ala Ebtekar (b. 1978, active San Francisco and Tehran) marries the beautiful blue of tiles often seen in Persian mosques with deepspace imagery produced by the Hubble telescope — uniting the celestial visions of spirituality and science. n
A BAY AREA ICON
THROUGH FEB 28, 2025
FANG FAMILY LAUNCHPAD
An iconic work by influential Bay Area artist Ruth Asawa (American, 1926–2013) is currently on view in the Fang Family Launchpad. Evoking shapes found in nature, Untitled (S.272) is a nine-foot hanging sculpture and a masterful example of the suspended abstract works for which Asawa is best known. Her signature style is precise in its looped wire, while also suggesting gentle movement and evoking a softness in the undulating curves. Asawa’s sculptures are recognized as meaningful contributions to midcentury art’s rigorous exploration of spatial abstraction, and represent a visionary bridge between the major themes of sculpture in the modern postwar period and the subsequent era of contemporary art.
B eloved in the Bay Area, Asawa is also known for her contribution to the local arts scene and is remembered as a committed educator and arts activist. In addition to her important work with organizations like the San Francisco Arts Commission, Asawa was foundational in the creation of San Francisco’s public arts high school, now named Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in her honor. n
CONTEMPORARY SUCCESSES
Our contemporary art program continues to build momentum, making a positive impact and building solidarity across institutions nationally and globally.
In January, the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts awarded Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Programs Naz Cuguoglu a $50,000 Curatorial Research Fellowship, a highly regarded award for contemporary curators in America. Naz’s research will foster a conversation between local artists and the museum’s historic collection within a 2025 exhibition. This is the second award of its kind received by a curator at the Asian Art Museum; the first was awarded in 2020 to Head of Contemporary Art Abby Chen.
Abby also continues to garner impressive honors: she was invited by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum to curate the Taiwan Pavilion at the 60th annual Venice Biennale. Her contribution comprises a collaboration with pioneering video artist Yuan Goang-ming, whose work appeared in After Hope: Videos of Resistance at the Asian Art Museum in 2021. Abby is also the recipient of the 2024 National Art Education Association (NAEA)
Asian Art and Culture Interest Group (AACIG) Distinguished Art Educator Award. The NAEA AACIG is committed to identifying and promoting art education research and practices on Asian art, cultures, artists, and philosophies within global and cross-cultural perspectives.
Finally, Assistant Curator of Game and Technology Cheng Xu was recently celebrated for a project developed under the auspices of C/Change, an initiative of the Goethe-Institut San Francisco and Gray Area, funded by the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. As part of the prestigious C/ Change’s second Creative R&D Lab cycle, Cheng was among five finalists whose projects build toward the future of digital cultural exchange. n
HALLYU! THE KOREAN WAVE
SEP
27,
2024–JAN 6, 2025
THE AKIKO YAMAZAKI AND JERRY YANG PAVILION
How did South Korea — a country ravaged by war only a few decades prior — emerge in recent years as a 21st-century pop culture phenomenon? Discover why millions across the globe have fallen in love with Korean music, film, and fashion in Hallyu! The Korean Wave, the first major museum exhibition dedicated to South Korean pop culture. n
Hallyu! The Korean Wave is organized by the Asian Art Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions. Created by the V&A — touring the world. Image: Saekdong by Darcygom. Photo by Jihoon Jung, courtesy Darcygom.STARS ALIGNING
Arriving in October, portraits by artist Etsu Egami (b. Tokyo, 1994) of South Korean actors Sang Heon Lee (star of Netflix’s “XO Kitty”) and Lee Byung-hun (star of Netflix’s “Mr. Sunshine” and “Squid Game”) will be on view. Both portraits will be displayed concurrently in the Korean Gallery throughout the duration of Hallyu! The Korean Wave in the Yang Yamazaki Pavilion.
“These vibrant paintings highlight the impact of Korean art and pop culture on the global cultural scene, the collaboration that is possible between artists working in different fields, and the ways in which a new generation of young artists are mutually supporting each other,” says Assistant Curator of Korean Art Yoon-Jee Choi.
For updates on other exciting Hallyu!-related programs and events, please check the museum calendar and stay tuned to member e-news. n
Q&A WITH CHENG XU CURATOR FOR GAMES
AND
TECHNOLOGY
RAD is the precursor to a larger-scale exhibition that opens in 2025. How are the two related?
The 2025 show will present a radically new game experience: acclaimed Chinese American game artist Jenova Chen will turn the entire Yang Yamazaki Pavilion into a game you can walk through. The work we are doing for the 2025 exhibition is so new and so big, we have to run some tests ahead of time — both to test the technology and to gauge audience reception. RAD stands for Research and Development: we’ve transformed Lee Gallery into a space for this prototyping and testing, as well as a venue for performances and programs from local luminaries in the art-tech world.
RAD is unlike anything ever done before here at the Asian Art Museum. What makes it so unique and how can members participate?
I remember being so intrigued when I saw the exposed machine shop at the Exploratorium for the first time, or the moment I peeked into the storage at the Broad Museum in Los Angeles. RAD is the Asian Art Museum's peeking window: an opportunity to see what’s cooking and what’s new in the contemporary landscape
of immersive, technology-driven art. Members are encouraged to visit asianart.org/rad to stay apprised of upcoming events and beta testing opportunities in the RAD space.
Members will learn more about the 2025 exhibition in upcoming issues. What excites you about the show that you can share in the meantime?
Jenova’s game experience is all about connecting people on the emotional level and emphasizes that we all share something essential, despite our differences. This experimental, emotional journey is also a departure from art as objects, affirming the museum’s commitment to broadened art experiences while providing a platform for a diverse range of artists and mediums. From a technical perspective, we are setting a new standard in the entertainment industry — large-scale, interactive games rarely approach this level of fidelity! n
RAD: Asian Art Museum Research and Development is organized by the Asian Art Museum. Sustained support generously provided by the Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Endowment Fund for Exhibitions and the Kao/Williams Contemporary Art Exhibitions Fund.
SOCIETY FOR ASIAN ART
2024 ANNUAL BOOK SALE
Thu, Apr 4 | 1– 8 PM (Thursday Night hours!)
Fri, Apr 5 | 10 AM– 5 PM
Sat, Apr 6 | 10 AM– 5 PM
Sun, Apr 7 | 10 AM– 5 PM (Free First Sunday!)
At this year’s special four-day event, thousands of books — including many collector's items — will be available at bargain prices. This year’s event includes both a Thursday night, when the museum remains open until 8 p.m., and a Free First Sunday. All sales benefit the museum's C. Laan Chun Library.
Selections include publications on A sian art, history, literature, religion, culture, cooking, novels, travel, textiles, jewelry, and more. This year’s rarities include a large collection of books on Southeast Asian Buddhist art and culture, including rare books by Emma C. Bunker on Cambodia, as well as a collection of albums of Indian miniature paintings.
The SAA Book Sale has raised more than $140,000 for the C. Laan Chun Library, one of the most comprehensive research libraries on Asian art and culture in the country.
Tell your Friends! n
Photograph © Peter Sinton.STUDENT ARTS FESTIVAL APR 4–29
The San Francisco Unified School District Citywide Youth Arts Festival returns to the Asian Art Museum for the first time since 2020, showcasing student artwork from around the city. An annual event put on by SFUSD and in collaboration with local art venues across San Francisco, the festival is an opportunity for students to share their artistic vision and unique perspectives, and to connect to their communities.
Visual arts by students from 20 surrounding K–12 schools will be on view in Bowes Court. On Saturday, Apr. 27, Samsung Hall will host a full day of student dance and musical performances. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the voices and vision of young artists in our community. n
CALLING ALL STORYTELLERS:
ENGAGE CHILDREN THROUGH STORIES AND ART
The Asian Art Museum is looking for volunteers to engage children through stories and art and join a team of storytellers. Once trained, you’ll come to the museum two to three times a month to share your talents with school groups and families. You’ll learn to tell fun stories from a variety of Asian cultures that make art exciting. You’ll also be part of a warm and inviting community of lifelong learners and friends who have enriched the experience of museum visitors.
Storyteller training starts in August of 2024 and includes a $25 training fee. Throughout the academic year, we will study traditional tales and storytelling skills, as well as methods for engaging children using art objects related to the stories. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to become a Storyteller!
For information and application, email trainings@aamsf.org with questions. n
PRIVATE DOCENT TOUR
PERSONALIZE YOUR GROUP’S NEXT VISIT
Treat yourself and fellow art lovers to a private docent-led tour exploring the museum’s world-class collections or special exhibitions. Your day at the museum can be fun, educational, and relaxing; we’ll make sure your tour will appeal to your group’s preferences and interests.
Members receive a 20% discount on docent fees and save with discounted ticket rates for groups of 10 or more (daily ticket allotments apply for free tickets). Please note: we require a twoweek lead time to effectively plan your private docent tour and/ or group visit.
For more details (or for inquiries), call 415.581.3740 or contact members@asianart.org. We look forward to helping you plan a tour! n
ENJOY VIP EXPERIENCES WITH JADE AND NEXUS
Jade Circle members ($5,000) receive complimentary access to customized docent-led tours for 10 while Nexus supporters ($25,000) may invite up to 20 guests. We invite you to deepen your engagement with the Asian Art Museum by enjoying exclusive behind-the-scenes offerings, including travel opportunities, all year round. Contact the Jade Circle and Nexus concierge to learn more by calling 415.581.3794 or by email at jadecircle@asianart.org or nexus@asianart.org n
JUL 24–27
VISIT LOS ANGELES WITH THE MUSEUM
We are happy to announce that registration is now open for the Jade Gold trip to Los Angeles. Please join Assistant Curator of Korean Art Yoon-Jee Choi to discover the international appeal of K-pop at KCON LA 2024 and explore the local arts, tastes, and culture of LA’s Koreatown and beyond.
This year’s trip includes VIP experiences including gallery, museum, and private collection visits. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of contemporary K-culture in anticipation of this fall’s Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibition, opening Sep. 27.
Stay in beautiful accommodations, dine at mouth-watering restaurants, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at KCON LA 2024. Hotel stays, ground transportation, and some meals are included in the trip cost. Members are responsible for their own airfare. For more information and the full itinerary, or to reserve your spot, please contact jadecircle@asianart.org.
Space is limited and registrations and deposits must be received by Apr. 30, so reserve your spot as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles! n
CIRCLE
MAKE AN IMPACT
Step into the Jade Circle for a deeper experience of Asian art and culture. Enhance your museum experience with insider access to exhibitions, events, and the private donor lounge, as well as special opportunities to connect with curators, museum leaders and fellow museum supporters. As a Jade Circle member, you’ll make a meaningful impact on our diverse community, strengthening the museum’s vision of making Asian and Asian American art and culture essential to everyone.
For more information, contact us at jadecircle@asianart.org, call 415.581.3740, or visit us online. n
SAVE THE DATE JADE
NEXUS, JADE CIRCLE, AND PATRON MEMBERS
Annual Preview Luncheon
Wed, Jul 10, 2024 | 11 AM to 1 PM
Be the first to know what’s coming to the museum by reserving your place at the Annual Preview Luncheon, where curators will provide insight into our highly anticipated special exhibitions and commissions. Staff will also offer updates on all the latest museum news.
Invitations will be delivered by email. To update your email address on file, please contact members@asianart.org n
HALLYU! THE KOREAN WAVE
GALA AND AFTER PARTY
SAVE THE DATE
Thu, Oct 24, 2024
Gala Co-Chairs: Salle Yoo and Varsha Rao
Gala Honorary Chair: Miky Lee
Proceeds from this sensational event support the Asian Art Museum’s mission to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian-American art and cultures for local and global audiences. More information to be announced soon! n
For sponsorship or table inquiries, contact gala@asianart.org.
REMEMBERING
JOAN DANFORTH
Long-serving Asian Art Commissioner and Asian Art Museum Foundation trustee Joan Danforth valued the importance of planned giving. Because Joan understood how meaningful legacy gifts are and the impact they have on ensuring the future of the Asian Art Museum, she stepped in to chair the museum’s first planned giving committee and helped build our program.
Joan was a dedicated patron with a deep understanding of how art can build bridges between individuals and communities. In her estate plan, she generously donated more than $3 million
to create an unrestricted endowment fund, ensuring that we can continue to make an impact in the way she cared most about: building and sustaining a dedicated community of Asian art enthusiasts. Joan will be remembered for her ready laugh, generous spirit, and commitment to the arts, social justice, and cultural knowledge.
We remember Joan and invite you to consider following her example with a gift to the museum in your will or by beneficiary designation. n
Q&A WITH
RICHARD B. GUMP SOCIETY MEMBER LEE OKUMOTO
Lee Okumoto was born in South Korea, moved to Japan, and then immigrated to the United States as a teenager. We met with Lee recently to discuss her commitment to the Asian Art Museum’s Gump Society, the role the museum plays in her life, and how that informed her decision-making when it came time to think about estate plans.
What drew you to the Asian Art Museum?
I love art and architecture. When I first came to the museum as a young professional, it was still in Golden Gate Park. I was active in the Korean group and chaired the Chuseok silent auction for one year. The Asian Art Museum provided me a place of community and a place to engage with other people’s perspectives through art.
In addition, I feel comfortable at the Asian Art Museum in a way that I don’t at other museums. My culture is represented. It’s like I’ve come home.
Do you have a favorite museum experience?
The special exhibitions are always intriguing, especially when toured with a very knowledgeable docent. A good docent helps me learn, and then I can come back on my own with that knowledge. I like to know the background story because it deepens my understanding and positively impacts my life.
What inspired you to make the museum a part of your legacy?
It came naturally for me to include the museum in my estate plan. When I was meeting with my attorney, he told me to think about what grounded me when I immigrated to this country and helped me focus on being a good human being. It was an easy decision to make the Asian Art Museum a part of my legacy. The arts bring me back to the basic questions: Why am I here? Why now? I want to give back what I received to contribute to the growth and health of the museum for the next generations. n
Join Lee Okumoto in the Gump Society by making a gift to the museum in your will. With your gift, you will provide for the financial security of the museum and ensure that its collections, exhibitions, and programs continue for future generations. Gump Society members are honored at an annual event, invited to special events, and recognized in the museum’s donor report. Contact Director of Individual and Legacy Giving Kate McNulty at 415.581.3683 or kmcnulty@asianart.org for more information.
SPRING ARTISAN MARKET BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Saturday, May 4 | 9 to 10 AM (member early access)
Saturday, May 4 | 10 AM to 6 PM (open to all)
Sunday, May 5 | 10 AM to 6 PM (open to all)
Looking for a special gift for mom, dad, grad, or newlyweds?
The Boutique’s Spring Artisan Market is back, featuring dozens of local makers offering one-of-a-kind items including:
. Fashion & accessories — update your spring wardrobe.
. Jewelry — from traditional sparkle to unforgettable statement.
. Ceramics — glossy housewares and show-stopping centerpieces.
. Specialty food items — brighten up your pantry and your palate.
. Cards — express your hopes and dreams in style. n
BEYOND THE FAMILIAR A DEEPER LOOK AT THE COLLECTION
Much has changed at the Asian Art Museum in recent years. New curators and scholars are bringing fresh perspectives to collection objects, re-examining common assumptions and ideas about the history, provenance, and context of even our most well-known artifacts while also introducing new acquisitions to our audience.
Jo in us for 14 lectures to take a deeper dive into our favorites as well as new and undiscovered treasures. The Instructor of Record is none other than Chief Curator Rob Mintz, who has been working with our curatorial staff to develop a significantly different approach to talking about art. Lectures are tentatively planned for Aug. 23 through Nov. 22, 2024; please visit societyforasianart.org for a confirmed schedule of speakers and topics.
We welcome feedback about our lecture series; please direct comments to saa@societyforasianart.org. n
Join the Society for Asian Art
For more than 65 years, the Society for Asian Art (SAA) has been providing dynamic programs on Asian art and culture in our independent support of the Asian Art Museum. In addition to the Arts of Asia Lecture Series, SAA members enjoy literature and culture courses; visits to art galleries and artists’ studios; study groups; and opportunities to travel with scholars. To join, please visit societyforasianart.org.
SCENE AT THE ASIAN
The museum continued to unite art lovers from near and far this year, fostering connections between individuals and communities while sparking inspiration across generations. n
Revelers enjoy the Murakami: Monsterized opening celebration.
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.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin
Tateuchi Foundation
Barbara and Gerson Bakar
Estate of Dorothy J. Bakewell
Bank of America
Cori and Tony Bates+
The Bernard Osher Foundation
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
California Arts Council
Eliza and Dean Cash
John S. and Sherry H. Chen
Ken Hao and Kathy Chiao
Carmen M. Christensen
Estate of C. Laan Chun
Columbia Foundation
Henry and Vanessa Cornell
Lloyd and Margit Cotsen
Crankstart
Joan L. Danforth
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Steve and Roberta Denning
Rajnikant T. and Helen Crane Desai
Dixon and Carol Doll
Family Foundation
Thao N. and Jerome L. Dodson+
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
East West Bank
Estate of Ernest and Virginia Esberg
Fred Eychaner
Sakurako and William Fisher
Estate of George and Denise Fitch+
Virginia and Timothy Foo
The Freeman Foundation
Tully and Elise Friedman
Richard N. Goldman
Sarah and William Hambrecht
Nancy B. Hamon
Marsha Vargas Handley
The Henry Luce Foundation
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Joan Diehl McCauley 1991 Trust
Kristine Johnson and Timothy Dattels
Maryellie and Rupert H. Johnson Jr.
Anne and Timothy F. Kahn
Kahng Foundation
The Korea Foundation
Koret 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
National Endowment for the Humanities
Suno K. Osterweis
Richard and Marianne Peterson
Estate of Elton L. Puffer
The Robert H.N. Ho
Family Foundation
Samsung
Leslie T. Schilling and Alexander H. Schilling
Dr. Stephen A. Sherwin and Mrs. Merrill Randol Sherwin
Vijay and Ram Shriram, The Dhanam Foundation
Society for Asian Art
Ji Ing Soong
Estate of Mrs. Norma Stanberry
The Starr Foundation
Rosina and Anthony Sun
Estate of Masako M. Suzuki
Henri and Tomoye Takahashi
Target
Claire and M. Glenn Vinson
Jack and Susy Wadsworth
Wallis Foundation
Phyllis C. Wattis
Wells Fargo
William G. Irwin Charity Foundation
Diane B. Wilsey
Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang
Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Y. Yang
Richard and Fukan Yen
+ 2023 new members
ANNUAL DONORS
The Asian Art Museum gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for their generous annual support for exhibitions, programs, and special events during fiscal year 2023. This support, together with our Nexus and Jade Circle membership programs, allows us to thrive as a vibrant hub for discovery, education, and inspiration.
Contributions received from Jul. 1, 2022, to Jun. 30, 2023.
$100,000 and above
Eliza and Dean Cash
Harry and Sandra Cheung
Thao N. and Jerome L. Dodson
Fred Eychaner Fund
Stephen and Choongja Kahng
Fred Levin, The Shenson Foundation
Ram and Vijay Shriram, The Dhanam Foundation
William and Michelle Tai
Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang
Salle E. Yoo and Jeffrey P. Gray
Anonymous
$50,000 to $99,999
Michele and Joseph M. Alioto
Cori and Tony Bates
Kathy Bissinger
William Mathews Brooks
Vaishali Chadha and Family
Huifen Chan and Roelof Botha
Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen
Claudine Cheng
Cheney and Mary Cowles
Yogen and Peggy Dalal
Joan L. Danforth*
Steven and Roberta Denning
Dixon and Carol Doll
Family Foundation
Sakurako and William Fisher
Marsha Vargas Handley
Martha Sam Hertelendy
Charles Huang and Lillian Qian
Jennifer Ching-Yun Kao and R. Stanley Williams
Lata Krishnan and Ajay B. Shah
Mr. and Mrs. Chong-Moon Lee
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Lee
Xiaojun Lee
Gorretti Lo Lui
Dipti and Rakesh Mathur
Lore Harp McGovern
Aaron Mendelsohn
Nanci Nishimura and Joseph Cotchett
Anjali and Sundar Pichai
Vasant and Sumati Prabhu
Merrill Randol and Stephen Sherwin
Varsha Rao and Cameron Poetzscher
John Sell
Rosina and Anthony Sun
Mindy Lin and Peter Sun
Cecilia Sze
Mary Mayer Tanenbaum
Jack and Susy Wadsworth
Ken and Ruth Wilcox
Songyee Yoon
Sally Shi and Hansong Zhang
Julia Zhen
Anonymous
$25,000 to $49,999
Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin
Tateuchi Foundation
Chip and Juliet Bergh
Patricia and Edwin
L.* Berkowitz
Dana and Ben Bisconti
Michael and Barbara Calbert
Tiffany and Jim Chang
Ms. Chaomei Chen and Dr. Yu Wu
Julia K. Cheng
Susan and John Diekman
George Fan
Winnie and Michael Feng
Sameer Gandhi and Monica Lopez
Ken Hao and Kathy Chiao
Michael and Ginger Hu
Kristine Johnson and Timothy Dattels
Anne and Timothy Kahn
Kiran K. Kapany
Bill Kim
Alexandra and Dennis Lenehan
John Maa, M.D.
Susan and Kevin McCabe
Mac and Leslie McQuown
Michelle and Robert Friend Foundation
Francis Mill
Leslie T. Schilling and Alexander H. Schilling
Tania and Michael Stepanian
Sanjay and Suniti Subhedar
Jane Chang Tom
Anita and Steven Westly
Jean and Hing Wong
Richard and Fukan Yen
Anonymous (3)
$15,000 to $24,999
Betty and Bruce Alberts
Midori and Paul Antebi
Paul A. Bartlett and Yumi Nakagawa
Mimi Gardner Gates
Dr. and Mrs. Richard H. Lee Jr.
Thomas and Beverly Marlow
Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman
Mary Frances Poh
Mr. P.A. Reque
Sack Family Fund
Sandra and R. David Schmaier
Robert K. Vincent and Yukari
Nakagawa Vincent
Glenn Vinson and Claire
Vinson
Anonymous
$10,000 to $14,999
Sara Abbasi and Sohaib Abbasi
Mr. Frank S. Bayley III*
Sandra C. Bessieres
Alexandra and Peter Caban
Iris S. Chan and Michael Chan, M.D.
Dr. Stephen R. Chun and Dr. Doris Sze Chun
Destino Fund
Jared Ede* and Fernan
de Zarate
Anne Ja Forbes
Beverly Galloway and Chris Curtis*
Pat Gordon
Robert C. Hermann
The Jennifer & Jacob Pritzker
Family Fund
Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein
Walter Knoepfel
Bianca and Merlin Larson
David and Linda Lei
Ruth Murad
Oliver Nicholas
Patricia W. Fitzpatrick Fund
Crisanto and Evelyn Raimundo
Ursula E. Ralph
Alice and Bill Russell-Shapiro
Sophia Sheng
Ashok and Gita Vaish
Daphne and Stuart Wells
The Brayton Wilbur Foundation
Michael and Patrice Wilbur
William and Gretchen
Kimball Fund
$5,000 to $9,999
Dorrit Ahbel, M.D.
Trista Berkovitz and Stephen Pegors
Steven V. Bernard
Dr. Jeffrey R. and Brenda Bohn
Dr. Lynne Lopez Brewer
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander D. Calhoun
David and Karin Chamberlain
Lily and Riaz Moledina
Penelope Clark
Jo Ann B. Collins
Jay A. and Nadege Conger
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.
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Fisher
Ayame Flint
Virginia and Timothy Foo
Gloria S. Garaventa
Michael Garland and Virginia Coe
Mr. Donald Gibson
Dessa P. Goddard
Ms. Kalena Gregory
James C. Gries
Michael Hackett-Hale
Margaret B. Handelman
Kathleen G. Henschel and John W. Dewes
Mr. and Mrs.* Austin E. Hills
George Y. Hong
Dr. Mary Hunt
Sung Jin and Frank Ingriselli
Ms. Nancy Jacobs
Jeffrey and Anne M. Katz
Mr. Eugene Kim and Ms. Christine Kim
Richard and Paola Kulp
Patricia Yin Li Kung
Randall E. Laroche and David G. Laudon
James and Katherine Lau
Timothy and Joy Light
Marcia Linn
Betty J. Louie
Arnold and Junko Low
Farah and Victor Makras
John* and Peggy Mathers
Joyce Hing McGowan
Mrs. Betty Meissner
Rhoda and Richard Mesker
Ms. Melly Metcalf
Virginia and Donald Meyer
Guy S. Miller and Alicia Loo
Dr. Robert Mintz and Dr. Beth Arman
Pete and Nicki Moffat
Michele A. Monson
Cathy and Howard Moreland
Lynne T. Ogata
Diane Ososke
Marianne H. Peterson
Lynn and Edward Poole
Gregory Potts
Ruth Quigley
Richard Raisler Foundation
Shelagh Rohlen
Mr. Dalfred E. Ross and Ms. Linda C. Lucas
William and Renée Rothmann
Collette and Peter Rothschild
John M. Sanger
Patricia and Edward Sham
Kirsten and Christopher Shilakes
Mary Lou Shott
Richard P. Shrieve & Yvonne Don
Ms. Jessica Silverman and Dr. Sarah Thornton
The Honorable Judge
Lillian Sing
Barbara Soong and Julius O. Young
Grace C. Spence
Susan Steer
Mr. Thomas C. Stoiber and Mrs. Diane J. Stoiber
Lucy Sun and Warren Felson
May Chen and K.M. Tan, M.D.
Mr. John K. Uilkema and Dr. Gail G. Uilkema
Mark Valentine
Liz A. Weingart
Faye Wilson
King Won and Linda Won
Dr. Colin & Mrs. Silvana Wong
Endora Hsia and Dennis Wong
Dandan Wu
Min Xiao
Lowell S. Young, M.D.
Candace Zander Kahn
Stephen and Connie Zilles
Anonymous (2)
$1,000 to $4,999
Sophie Lei Aldrich and Ted Aldrich
Colin Alexander and Ronald E. Albers
Ravinder K. Arora, M.D.
Ms. Orit Atzmon and Ms. Maia Shoham
Neaera and Edward Baer
Christy Bartlett and Ken Tuomi
James Bays
Mr. Robert Beadle
Stuart Berkowitz, Ph.D.
Peter and Margaret Boyer
Romana Bracco
Agnes V. Brenneman and Roger Edwards
Sean and Faith Bricmont
D. Ren Brown
Adrianne and Robert Burton
Terrie Campbell and James Henderson
Lyman and Carol Casey
Ms. Karen G. Castle
Thomas and Judith Cerny
Ms. Cordelia J. Chang
Donald and Eunice Chee
Ms. Hope Chen
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Chen
Yvonne and Ralph Cheng
Ravi and Monjula
Chidambaram
Eunice Childs
Craig and Noelle Chinn
Keting Chu
Sherman Chu and Ming Yeh
Lillian K. Chun and David H. Chun
Steven J. Cohen
Glenn and Dianne Colville
Carlotta Dathe
Mr. Philip S. Dauber and Mrs. Elayne R. Dauber
Kimmie Fitzpatrick Davis and Dr. Tyler W. Davis
Dr. Jane De Leon and Mr. Peter Horton
Blair Dean and Robert Cooter
Pamela Dekema and Richard Champe
Dvonia C. Dekker
Bonnie Demergasso
Helen Crane Desai
Mr. Yilun Ding
Jerry Dodson and Pat Dodson
Jad Dunning
Ms. Janet Eddleman
Mr. Robert A. Ellis and Ms. Jane W. Bernstein
Harry and Meredith Endsley
Jeanne and Frank Fischer
Alfred V. Fong
Helen Gan
Raj-Ann Gill
Malvina Gock-Chan and John Chan
Norman Goldfarb and Miriam Yelton
Hon Mai and Joseph Goodman
Frederick L. Gordon
Dorothy D. Gregor
Jan Gronski
James W. Haas
Ms. Theresa Haran
Mrs. Susan Harbison
Carole and John Harlow
Ms. Sato Hashizume
Mr. Michael S. Hebel
Monica and Stephen Henderson
Kathryn Wilen Hobart
Mr. Robert E. Hom
Andrea L. Hong and James S. Parsons
Hing On Hsu
Kathy Huber
Thomas J. Hudak
Mrs. Lenora L. Jang
William and Nancy Kales
Mrs. Joyce Kami
The Keyes Sulat Family Fund
Maria Khine
Dr. Kumja Paik Kim
Rosalind and Sung-Hou Kim
Sachiko A. Kim and Machiko Akasaka
Mr. and Ms. Ken J. King
Etsuko Kobata and Derek Adelman
John P. Kouletsis
Tae Kyung Moon Kouzes and James Kouzes
Robin Laub
Dr. Ernest Lee and Dr. Letah Y. Lee
Nancy and Peter Lee
William K. Lee and Ellen Lee
Dr. Lai-Sung Eric Leung and Mrs. Kay-lee Leung
Jeff Levin
Cindy Li
Mr. Dave Lindsey
Jeffrey Lipkin and Kathleen Anderson
Beverly and Peter Lipman
Peter D. Lit
Catherine and Michael C. Liu
Rodney Loo
Carrie and Ronald Ludwig
Yin-Wah Ma and Rosser H. Brockman
Christiana and Charles Macfarlane
Eve Masonek
Ms. Nan McDowell
Leslie McKnew
Ernest McNabb
Linda Membreno
Dr. and Mrs. David J. Menke
Ms. Michelle Mercer and Mr. Bruce Golden
Lorna Meyer Calas
Elizabeth and Robert Meyer
Susan W. Mielke
Buffington Clay Miller and Christine Tieu
Margaret P. and William H. Moorhouse
Ruth Muschel and Gillies McKenna
Catherine S. Muther
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Myers
Ms. Linda Nanbu
Jim Newman and Jane Ivory
Noga and Israel Niv
Robert Oaks and Fred Sheng
Mr. Clayton R. Ong and Mrs. Barbara M. Ong
Edmund W. Ow
Ms. Lorraine Y. Parmer and Ms. Lorilyn Parmer-Folks
Roland and Caryl Petersen
Gloria Pfister
Nancy Philie
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Price
Mr. and Mrs. Ajay Puri
Mr. Carl Quong and Mrs. Sandra Quong
Cheryl and Vincent Resh
Pamela and Richard Rigg
Linda Rineck
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Rogers
Arthur and Lois Roth
Pamela H. Royse
Gretchen Saeger
Dr. Catherine Sanger and Mr. Brandon Yoder
Dr. Emily J. Sano
Mr. Jason Seifer and Mr. Brian Ayer
Karen Serratoni
Bill Sevald
Megha Sharma and Kanav Hasija
Ingrid Lai and William Shu
Elvira Sidhu and Gursharan
Singh Sidhu
Matthew Simis and Michael Gray
Wendy Muse Sinek and Edward Sinek
Sher and Jean Singh
Peter and Beverly Sinton
Paul and Mary Slawson
Mr. Steve Smart and Mr. Javier Barreto
Barbara Sonnenblick
Jill Spangenberg Barakos and Jerome A. Barakos
Robert L. Speer and John Wong
Harise and Peter Staple
Mr. Charles M. Stockholm
Ms. Elaine H. Stutt
Mrs. Roselyne C. Swig
Mr. John C. Thoelecke and Mrs. Elza Wong-Thoelecke
Sean Tierney
Barbara and Clay Timon
Joaquim Trias and Yuka Ichijo
Paul Violich
Bruce and Fran Walker
Ms. Hsiao Chih Wang
Veronica Wang
Mr. Dennis D. White and Mr. Lawrence Wu
Pat Wilde
Mr. John R. Williams
Kirsten Wolfe and Andrew Brown
Ms. Eileen C. Wong
Ira G. Wong, M.D. and Eleanor W. Wong
Carol and Weldon Wong
Ms. Amy Woo
Dr. Olga F. Woo
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Wu
Roy J. Wu
Dr. John S. Yao
David and Elissa Yeske
Elaine L. Yip
Haifang Yun
Mei Z
Mrs. Lydia L. Zane
Shoucheng Zhang Foundation
Anonymous (3)
*Deceased
The Asian Art Museum gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their generous annual support for exhibitions, programs, and special events during fiscal year 2023.
Contributions received from Jul. 1, 2022 to Jun. 30, 2023. Major funding is provided annually by the City and County of San Francisco.
$100,000 and above
Bei Shan Tang Foundation
The Bernard OsherFoundation
Koret Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
Kaiser Permanente
Target
The William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation
$50,000 to $99,999
Bank of America
Bloomberg
C.M. Capital Corporation
Chanel
The Henri & Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neiman Marcus
Teiger Foundation
United States-Japan Foundation
$25,000 to $49,999
181 Fremont Residences
B Minor Studio
California Arts Council
GoFundMe
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Society for Asian Art
$15,000 to $24,999
Alkeon Capital Management LLC
Cartier
CVC Advisors (U.S.) Inc.
Frank A. Campini Foundation
Franklin Templeton Investments
Grant Thornton
The Sato Foundation
Tan Family Education Foundation
Toshiba International Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
$10,000 to $14,999
Citadel
CDR Johnson Family Foundation
Dodge & Cox
J.W. and H.M. Goodman
Family Charitable Foundation
Perkins Coie
Prologis
Terra Foundation for American Art
Van Cleef & Arpels
$6,000 to $9,999
Delta Dental
Gensler & Associates
Atthowe Fine Art Services
The Japan Foundation
$3,000 to $5,999
Adyen San Francisco
The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Cathay Bank Foundation
Cooley LLP
Dolby Laboratories
Giorgio Armani
Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc.
Google, Inc.
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
Sotheby’s
$1,000 to $2,999
Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund
Mamie Moy Memorial Fund
Paul S. Nadler Family Charitable Trust
Gifts of Art
Master Chao Shao-An
Patricia Gordon
Kaitlin Hao
Krishnamurti Foundation of America
Eugenia Perez
Hilary Rand
Lorie G. Rice
Giorgio and Shelley Sorani
Mrs. Patricia H. Williamson
In-Kind Support
BEI Hotel San Francisco
Boucher Law
Squire Patton Boggs L.L.P.
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 Chun Library
The Desai India Endowment
Dodson Family Fund+
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
THANK YOU
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
Richard B. Gump Society legacy gifts support research for exhibitions, free admission to schoolchildren, conservation of works of art, and the museum’s highest priorities.
Gump Society Members
Dr. Robert Acker
Anne M. Adelmann
Dorrit Ahbel
Sophia Lei Aldrich and Theodore Aldrich
Anthony Alfidi
Mrs. and Mr. Jody Arens
Barbara Bakar
Ms. Nancy E. Bardoff
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Bassett
Mrs. Carole L. Becker
Ms. Billie Becker-Bem
Jody E. Berke
Kathy Bissinger
Dr. Phyllis B. Blair
Mr. Gerry A. Blunt
D. Ren Brown
Don Buhman
Mrs. Pauline Chang
Cordelia Chang
Dr. Michael Chang
Dinny Winsor Chase
Ms. Agnes Chen Brown
Alan F. Chow
Patty S. Chu and Colbert T. Dare
Dr. Stephen R. Chun and Dr. Doris Sze Chun
Joyce H. Clark
William and Diane Clarke
Glenn and Dianne Colville
Mrs. Katharine Comstock
Dauna R. Currie
Ms. Martha Debs
Helen Crane Desai
Carl and Meredith Ditmore
Jeanne Dorward
Judith and Robert L. Duffy
Jared Ede* and Fernan de Zarate
Trudy Ehrenfeld
Reverend Richard G. Fabian
Richard M. Fitzgerald and Victor A. Perez
Peter J. Flagg
Nancy G. Freeman
Walter Jared Frost and David Salman
Ms. Gallagher and Dr. Wood
Ms. Beverly Galloway and Mr. Chris Curtis*
Dr. Elizabeth Green-Sah
Mr. James C. Gries
Charles and Ginger Guthrie
Charles E. and Anthia L. Halfmann
Renee R. Hall
Margaret B. Handelman
Marsha Vargas Handley
Mrs. Micheline Handon
Dr. Gloria M. Hing
Gordon Holler
Elizabeth H. Huchberger
Wray Humphrey
Marie and Harold Hyman
Ms. Julie Derby Jaecksch
Dr. Ronald G. Jan
Ms. Sandra N. Jeong
Robert M. Johnson
Dr. Phyllis A. Kempner and Dr. David D. Stein
Sally Ketchum
Bill Kim
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Kirby
Ludmila Kisseleva-Eggleton and Peter Eggleton
Mr. Henry J. Kleinhenz
Thomas Knapp
Walter Knoepfel
Aman I. Kumar
Benjamin and Wendy Leong
Barbara and Warren Levinson
Felice Liang
Dr. Paul Lifton
Timothy and Joy Light
Marcia Linn
Ms. Karina K. Lok
Yin-Wah Ma and Rosser H. Brockman
Marilyn E. MacGregor
Mr. James D. Marver
John* and Peggy Mathers
Karyl M. Matsumoto
Susan and Kevin McCabe
John McCallister
Dr. Patricia J. McEveney
Malcolm McHenry
Judi A. McManigal
Kate McNulty
Patrick E. McSweeney
Betty J. Meissner
Bob Merjano
Virginia and Donald Meyer
J. Sanford Miller
Mr. Lawrence Mock and Ms. Chris Ahn
Cathy and Howard Moreland
Ms. Ann M. Mullis
Ms. K. Marie Nelson
Mr. Jeffrey A. Nigh
Marnay O’Neal
Ms. Lee Okumoto
Diane Ososke
Michael J. Pascua
Prof. John V. B. Perry
Greg L. Pickrell and Evelyn Richards
Mary Frances Poh
Gregory Potts
Marjo and Al Price
Ms. Ruth Quigley
Merrill Randol and Stephen Sherwin
Ronald D. Rattner
Joan D. Reagan and Dominic Gattuso Jr.
Mr. P.A. Reque
Pamela H. Royse
Louise A. Russell
Jordan H. Sachs and Jeannie Sack
Dr. Emily J. Sano
Mr. Joseph Saunders
Mary M. Schiffmann
Midori H. Scott
John J. Shaak
Dr. Kathleen O. Slobin
Paul and Barbara Sonnenblick
Robert L. Speer and John Wong
Marilyn Spiegl
Susan Steer
Rosina and Anthony Sun
Susan K. Tanner
Michael E. Tully
Mr. John K. Uilkema and Dr. Gail G. Uilkema
Glenn Vinson and Claire Vinson
Ms. Stephanie Waldman
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Watson
Daphne and Stuart J. Wells
Tim Whalen
Judy Wilbur
Michelle Wilcox and Mr. Robert F. Kuhling, Jr.
Charlene F. Williams
William E. Wilson
Brenda J. and William
L. Winston
Prof. John Wood
Connie and Stephen Zilles
Anonymous (8)
Estate and Trust Gifts
Clark Lyle Trust
Estate of Marion Gleitzman Bacciocco
Estate of Thomas and Betty Belina
Estate of William Cawley
Estate of George and Denise Fitch
Frederic S. Whitman Trust
Milton J. Mosk Trust
Estate of Madelon L. Palma
FEATURED MEMBER EVENTS
We’re always planning new events and programs for you to enjoy as a member of the Asian Art Museum. Events take place in person at the museum unless otherwise noted. Events may change due to unforeseen circumstances; please visit the online calendar for a full and regularly updated schedule.
APRIL
17 / WEDNESDAY
Phoenix Kingdoms
Donor Reception
Jade Circle, Nexus, and exhibition sponsors
18 / THURSDAY
Phoenix Kingdoms
Member Preview and Reception
1–8 PM
Open to all members; tickets required
19 / FRIDAY
Phoenix Kingdoms
Opening Day Tickets required
20 / SATURDAY
Phoenix Kingdoms
Member Opening Celebration
Open to Rhino Club and members at all levels; tickets required
MAY
4–5 / SAT–SUN
Artisan Market
Cha May Ching Boutique
16 / THURSDAY
Curator Tour of Into View: New Voices, New Stories with curator Naz Cuguoglu and artist Jenifer K Wofford Open to Jade Circle and Nexus members
19 / SUNDAY
Creative Currents: Celebrating AAPI Art & Collaboration
1–5 PM
Family art activities, AAPI-focused tour, screening of Ala Ebtekar: Luminous Ground, and panel discussion with Ala Ebtekar, Dave Young Kim, and Jenifer K Wofford
Open to the public
JULY
10 / WEDNESDAY
Annual Preview Luncheon
Patron, Jade Circle, and Nexus members
24–27 / WED–SAT Domestic Travel Trip to Los Angeles
Jade Circle Gold and Nexus members
ONGOING MEMBERS-ONLY DOCENT TOURS
Attend our regularly occurring Members-Only Docent Tours, held on the first Monday at 1:30 PM and third Saturday at 10:30 AM of each month. Reservations are highly recommended and are available online.
VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES (Wednesdays)
4/10 Arts Across Asia
5/8 Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age
6/12 Expressions of Gender
7/10 Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
8/14 Timeless Traditions
9/11 Glorious Civilizations of Southeast Asia
MUSEUM HOURS
Thu 1–8 PM Fri–Mon 10 AM–5 PM
NEW MUSEUM HOURS
Tue & Wed Closed
Visit asianart.org for additional closings and special hours, and check calendar.asianart.org for updates.
asianart.org
@asianartmuseum
SHARE YOUR IDEAS
Dear reader,
Thank you for being a valued part of our museum community. This is our first-ever test of a fully digital issue, delivering the most up-to-date content to you in an environmentally-friendly format. Do you have ideas or suggestions for future issues? Your feedback helps our membership team continue to deliver benefits that are meaningful and useful to you. Please let us know what you think.
I appreciate you taking a few minutes to share your input with the museum so we can plan for your member benefits in the year ahead.
With gratitude,
Danielle Hobart Director of Membership