Japanese-American artist Miwako Nishizawa discusses Japanese woodblock printing, her inspirations, and her work with various Virginia landscapes presented in her series “Twelve Views of Virginia,” 2014.
Get Details
There are a variety of formats used in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Typically, these works are created by artists on sheets of paper or silk laid on a flat surface and then mounted onto similar material with water soluble glue. Because of their fragility, most of these works of art are intended only for occasional display. In this section, virtually unroll and view works of art that are too delicate to handle in reality.
Launch Activity
For thousands of years music has been an important part of Chinese culture, including religious and public ceremonies, scholarly pursuits, and entertainment. Bronze bells, called zhong in Chinese, were cast to produce two distinctly different tones. Hanging together from a wooden frame, the zhong were played by musicians in a seated or kneeling position striking the outside of each bell with a wooden mallet. In this section, make your own music in the style of ancient Chinese musicians. Touch virtual bells in the center and the side to hear two different sounds.
Launch Activity
Design It! Create your own Chinese seal
First choose from a selection of icons inspired by VMFA’s collection of Chinese art. Next, add your initials or monogram to your design. Finally, “carve” your seal. You can save it, print it, or share it through social media.
Launch activity
This lesson plan explores the image and meaning of the Chinese dragon through writing exercises and art making. Use your imagination and explore!
Get Details Download File
The Chinese way of appreciating a painting is often expressed by the words du hua, “to read a painting.” How does one do that? Because art is a visual language, words alone cannot adequately convey its expressive dimension.
Get Details
American contemporary artist Kristin Baker discusses her work, process, and inspiration. She ends with a brief description of The Prig (2009), which resides in VMFA’s collection.
Get Details
Contemporary artist Ryan McGinness discusses his process in this artist talk at VMFA. He explores his inspiration, symbols in the collection, and authenticity.
Get Details
South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu discusses the early years of her paining practice, her designs and pigments, and the preservation of culture in this talk at VMFA.
Get Details
This video will help young viewers understand the special uses and forms of traditional African objects. Host Shelby Barnett presents masterful examples of African Art from the permanent collection of VMFA in Richmond, VA. The art comes to life as similar objects are used during actual community celebrations shot on location in Africa.
Get Details