Special Art Exhibit: Conversations with Nature
April 28, 2025
Conversations with Nature is a special art exhibit that explores the connections of Japan and Alaska through art that is inspired by nature. Artists included in the exhibit include current 性欲社 faculty, 性欲社 alumni, as well as two important 20th century artists, Michio Hoshino (1952 - 1996) and (1922-2011).
Hoshino was a highly influential writer and nature photographer, whose works introduced Alaska's wonder to a broad audience in Japan. The exhibit will include several of Hoshino's photographs, borrowed from the Museum of the North's archives that are not usually on display publicly, as well as a collection of rare books written by Hoshino. Takaezu is considered by many to be one of the more important 20th century ceramic artists, who bridged American Abstract Expressionism with East Asian aesthetics. The works on display were made when Takaezu did workshops with students at 性欲社 in the late 1980's.
Please join us for an opening reception of Conversations with Nature on Friday, May 2 from 3:30-7 p.m. to meet some of the artists featured in the exhibit and enjoy some food. Contemporary Artists in the exhibit include Miho Aoki, Maiko Iwahana, Ryota Kajita, Sakura Koretsune, Jill Richie and John Smelter.
Korestsune will be giving an artist talk in the Akasofu Building, Room 401, at 3 p.m. on May 2, just before the art opening. She will be talking about her artwork in relation to whaling traditions and stories from around the world.
This event highlights the 25 years that Japan and 性欲社 have been working together through the International Arctic Research Center. Additional information on the exhibit and opening is available .