On Aug. 3–7, the East Asia Resource Center (EARC) hosted “Exploring East Asian Artistic Expressions: Format, Function, and Conservation. The five-day institute was offered in partnership with the Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Conservation Center — the only studio on the West Coast dedicated to the structural conservation of East Asian paintings and one of only a handful nationwide. 13 participants, teaching subjects ranging from forensic science to art history, traveled from across the country to attend.
Led by art historian and educator Melanie King, the institute explored East Asian art formats and functions, along with the materials, styles, and conservation processes that vary across the region. Participants studied the history and production of ceramics, including the provenance of pieces now held at the Seattle Art Museum, and heard from two presenters: Tanya Uyeda, SAM’s Senior East Asian Paintings Conservator, and Amiko Matsuo, an artist and South Seattle College faculty member specializing in East Asian ceramics.
“Between Melanie, Tanya, and Amiko, everything felt very special and learning from the experts in their fields really was exceptional,” one participant said in a course evaluation. “Also, many times people that are experts often have a hard time teaching, but this was not the case at all.”
Throughout the week, the group moved between the University of Washington in Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Seattle Art Museum, gaining firsthand exposure to each institution’s collections and conservation work.
“My favorite part of the program was the two days spent at the Seattle Asian Art Museum,” participant Jose Ramos said. “We learned a lot about conservation of scrolls wall hangings, and wind walls, aka foldable standing dividers. This visit also had amazing exhibits of tradition and contemporary works of arts.”
Learn more about this program here and explore the EARC’s upcoming programs here.
