Bijin 美人: Japanese Beauty
Bijin: Japanese Beauty explores one of the major themes of Japanese art history: the bijin (美人), the essence of feminine beauty.
Private Viewing Thursday, May 4 | 5pm to 8pm | Free | Conseil des arts de Montréal
Exhibition May 4 to June 23 | Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Description
Bijin: Japanese Beauty explores one of the major themes of Japanese art history: the bijin
(美人), the essence of feminine beauty. Traditionally representing portraits of courtesans or beautiful women with standardized beauty, adorned in their finest clothes, the theme of the bijin has continued to fascinate throughout the ages. In today’s context where gender and body diversity are celebrated, where the very notion of universal beauty is questioned, what would the contemporary bijin look like? The exhibition presents the works of two artists who question the evolution of beauty standards in Japan. While Yukiko Hashizume presents a traditional and stereotyped vision of beauty, Kaori Izumiya questions and updates it.
Medias
Artasiam
Artasiam is an online art gallery whose mission is to promote artists from Asian communities and facilitate the sale and purchase of their work.
Yukiko Hashizume
Yukiko Hashizume was born and raised in the Kant region of Japan and has recently moved to Quebec, Canada. In Tokyo, she studied graphic design at the Kuwasawa Design Institute. After her studies, Yukiko worked as a florist and cutting teacher while maintaining her connection with Japanese painting. She studied Nihonga, traditional Japanese painting, in Sapporo, Japan, under the guidance of sensei, Kuniyaki Nakano, for many years.
Kaori Izumiya
Kaori Izumiya was born and raised in Japan. For the past few years, she lived abroad but now resides in Quebec. She studied oil painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. After graduating, she had successful group and solo exhibitions in Tokyo and New Zealand and a professional career in animation and illustration. Kaori’s commitment to feminism and diversity can be seen in a series of illustrations that she made in collaboration with a female gynecologist in Japan, addressing various women’s issues.
With
Artasiam – Art Gallery
Yukiko Hashizume – Painter
Kaori Izumiya – Illustrator