Bumpei Usui (碓氷文平 Usui Bunpei, 1898—1994) was a remarkable Japanese-born American painter celebrated for his social realist cityscapes and urban life scenes. His body of work also included interiors, flower studies, and still lifes. In 1935, a critic praised his style as “cultivated realism,” while others lauded his masterful use of color, textures, and spatial values. Some even noted elements of Precisionism in his cityscapes. Usui’s paintings of people showcased both the humorous and harsh realities of city life.
Despite a period of obscurity following his death, Usui’s legacy was revived in 2014 when the Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired one of his paintings and featured it prominently in a major exhibition. In addition to his painting career, Usui was a skilled custom frame maker, furniture designer, and lacquering craftsman. He also had a passion for collecting antique Japanese swords and breeding Siamese cats, reflecting the diverse range of his talents and interests.
Photo:Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Regis Corporation
Photo:Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The art of Bumpei Usui beautifully captures his unique vision, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western influences to create a distinct style that highlights the achievements of AAPI artists. His works, which reflect his personal experiences, have become an integral part of art history, touching the hearts and souls of people worldwide. Bumpei’s legacy endures, celebrating his contributions and ensuring his impact on the art world remains timeless.
Antonius-Tin Bui, a versatile Vietnamese American artist, showcases three distinct bodies of work in the exhibition: “Do not laminate this card,” “Not Sorry for the Trouble,” and two portraits. Each piece delves into the enduring challenges and stereotypes faced by AAPI individuals, while also reflecting Bui’s exploration of unconventional beauty through the medium of paper. “Do not laminate this card” comprises laminated collages juxtaposing images from the Vietnam War era with ancestral burning paper or joss paper. Originating from Bui’s 2017 trip to Vietnam, where they faced criticism from a U.S. government official for laminating their security card, this series is a poignant commentary on identity and heritage. (Voice of OC respects Bui’s choice of preferred pronouns, “they/them.”
Photo: Antonius-Tin Bui
Since completing their degree in 2016, Antonius has been fortunate to receive fellowships from esteemed institutions such as the Vermont Studio Center, Kala Art Institute, Tulsa Artists Fellowship, Halcyon Arts Lab, and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. These opportunities have allowed them to diversify their artistic practice, extending beyond hand-cut paper techniques. Currently, Antonius explores themes of Vietnamese history and queerness through various mediums including performance, textiles, and photography. Their work has been showcased at a wide array of venues, ranging from institutional to underground, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Smithsonian Arts & Industry Building, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Hillyer Art Space, Lawndale Art Center, Living Arts, 108 Contemporary, Artscape, and the Philbrook Museum.
Antonius’s art intricately weaves together narratives of culture and identity, crafting pieces that transcend time with their enduring beauty. Each work serves as a tribute to cultural heritage, radiating a unique elegance that captivates and inspires viewers. Through their art, Antonius breathes life into stories that resonate deeply, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of human experience.
Originally hailing from Goa and now based in Minneapolis, Roshan Ganu is a versatile multimedia artist. Through her practice, she explores the depths of human experience using light, darkness, motion, space, and time. Her fascination lies in the intricate connections between language, visuals, experiences, and various disciplines. Ganu’s creations breathe life into narratives, moments, and emotions, inviting viewers into a realm of vulnerability. Central to her artistic vision is the theme of “isolation,” which serves as a lens through which she examines the human condition.
Observing her art is akin to observing the cosmos, capturing the profoundness of depth, space, texture, color, and time. Ganu’s art is inherently interdisciplinary, seamlessly intertwining cultural influences with her own unique and personal perspectives, enriching her work with layers of depth and meaning. Her art transcends boundaries, offering viewers a glimpse into the interconnectedness of humanity and the universe, evoking introspection and contemplation on the complexities of existence.
Formal language is a means to our consciousness. But consciousness itself knows no formal language. I am interested in a transdisciplinary translation of concepts and the fluidity of our human experience. I speak and understand six languages: Marathi, Konkani, Hindi, English, French, and Portuguese. Each language ignites its own consciousness and in each language I understand myself differently. The immigrant experience complicates this by introducing a foreign context. I am interested in this interflow of meaning in a multilingual and multicultural framework.
Roshan Ganu
In a world defined by diversity and cultural richness, creative expression serves as a vital conduit for celebrating our multifaceted identities and bridging differences. Through the lens of art, encompassing language, heritage, and culture, we find a common ground where individual narratives coalesce into a harmonious tapestry of human experience. The borderless nature of artistic expression transcends geographical confines, fostering connections that traverse continents and cultures. As we embrace the kaleidoscope of perspectives and voices, we cultivate a universal environment of understanding and empathy, paving the way for peace and unity in our global community. In cherishing and preserving our cultural heritage while embracing innovation and diversity, we illuminate the path towards a more inclusive and compassionate world, where art becomes a catalyst for profound transformation and collective harmony.
A great artist was born in 1899 in the Sichuan province and his name was Zhang Daqian. His family was an artistic family that converted to Catholicism. Zhang Daqian studied traditional Chinese painting (Guohua) and by the 1960’s he became the worlds greatest artist with his forte being expressionism. Zhang’s works are elegant and bold, abstract, and yet so real, one can hear birds and feel the mountain mist whole enjoying Zhang’s works, which are also said to rival Picasso.
Zhang Da Qian (1965), Photo by Orion Museum
Notice the space of his compositions, well balanced, with a natural look. His mastery of splashing blues and greens on rice paper can truly be appreciated by any arts enthusiast. Zhang’s work blends tradition with the modern, not erasing the roots but embracing them, and with his talent creating a new technique called ink splashing. Yet did he know he would inspire the world with his mastery of watercolor.
His displays of blue and green are his signature trait which creates an illusion of light on leaves, fog at the foot of a mountain, or stone. Zhang’s paintings definitely are a splash of infinity and create breath taking landscapes that will forever be priceless history. To view his art is to view the creation of a true water color artist, an expert of our times.
” The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
~Alan watts
The power of art is incredible, it has a remarkable way of calming the mind and the body, bringing out emotions, and telling stories. Art is a strong framework of challenging social, cultural and political norms, inspiring dialogue and creating empathy among people. Art has the ability to transcend language barriers, igniting emotions and reaching deep into the hearts of many across diverse backgrounds. Artistic expression challenges oppression, and promotes equality, giving a voice to many. Art is a dance, and it is a brush on paper, it a bringing together of communities, and a questioning of the current state of affairs. Art is the power to transform the world.
The unique multifaceted ways in which an artist can bring to life a dream, a vision, or a sound or emotion shows the power of art. When used to promote change, art can be the healing and peace that we need. Through sharing our stories we learn more about each other, and in doing so we unite. We can form strong, safe, culturally diverse communities that promote and value culture, traditions, and education. There’s no doubt that art has the ability to make change. Art can also be a great form of relaxation, taking the mind away from depressive thoughts and instead focusing on hope, creativity, and the moment. Many who struggle with isolation can find peace and comfort in creating art, and collaborating with other artists on projects.
Art has no walls, no borders, the language of art is universal. Many BIPOC artists have created masterpieces that did not get the same respect as western white artists. We are moving into an era of ending racism, ending hate, building stronger communities and our modern art reflects that. BIPOC artists have laid down a foundation, a great and colorful path for creatives today and of the future to build and add on to, this road of art is the birth of peace.
Many people the world over have seen Bonsai, maybe on movies such as Karate Kid, or at their local conservatories. Maybe even some people have friends, or relatives who raise the tree’s, or they have seen Bonsai in a garden center. These stunted trees have a very long history that goes back thousands of years to ancient China and Japan.
The word Bonsai derived from the Chinese word Penzai (盆栽) which means potted plant. During the Tang Dynasty Penzai was at its stylistic height. The stunted trees were favored by Buddhist monks, scholars and royalty. The trees were planted in shallow trays and decorated scholars rooms, temples and courtyards. It was common to display your tree for guests, especially if it were of flowering or fruiting variety. Bonsai were sometimes put on both sides of Buddhist statues as well. These little trees were found in nature by scholars who enjoyed the beauty of what nature can create. These scholars would travel risking their lives many times, to collect trees from the wild which had great potential to become a piece of living art. These wild pieces of art are extremely rare, they are rare because of the conditions needed to create them. Hundreds of years of wind cutting the tree back, storms, lack of nutrition in mountain soil, and roots restricted by rock can sculpt a tree into a beautiful piece of art that scholars prized and named literati.
Japanese scholars and Buddhist monks fell in love with the Chinese Penzai and brought them back to Japan where they were then pronounced as Bonsai (盆栽). Over many years the Japanese refined the art form and were inspired by the nature and organic perfection of pine trees. In 1950 John Naka (better known as the father of American Bonsai by Bonsai enthusiasts) and his friends established the California Bonsai society, which became an important vehicle for the birth of Bonsai in the United States. Master Naka was known for his work with forest plantings and conifers, and he used mostly native variety of trees in his projects. In 1976 Japan gifted 53 Bonsai to the United States which then eventually led to the founding of the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C.
Photo: Asian Media Access
These little trees depict natural scenes, forests, and can even look like distant mountains with rivers and fog when created and maintained by a professional Bonsai artist. Have a look at the photo below, notice the illusion of distance in the planting. Such small trees can have a big artistic impact on the viewer.
Photo: Asian Media Access
The Chinese are famous for their masterful rock and tree plantings. The plantings range in size from less than a foot to well over 4 feet. One can say that it was the scholars visions of China’s great mountains that led to this style of this art today. In Japan the rock plantings are also popular, at one point they were much smaller than the Chinese plantings however Bonsai expert Masahiko Kimura totally went bold and created large masterful rock and tree plantings.
Photo: Alejandro Sartori
Photo: Alejandro Sartori
Today we are so lucky to be able to witness this incredible art of sculpting beauty with living wood. We can see the vision of the Bonsai or Penzai artist, we can see the distant mountains, forests and streams through their eye. If we can silence our inner-selves and allow the magnificent beauty of these trees to speak, we will be able to appreciate and be moved by these living works of art.
Often times when I listen to music its usually Guzheng music. This ancient instrument has a history well over 2500 years and almost went extinct throughout its long period of transformation. This powerful instrument was once reserved for the imperial family now soothes our modern ears today with its silken sounds. The Guzheng is a zither harp like instrument with 21 strings, tuned pentatonic ( 5 notes that repeat over the 21 strings) and has moveable wooden bridges under each string. Each bridge is of a different height, shorter bridges for the thinnest strings and thicker taller bridges for the thickest strings. The Guzheng bridges are not fixed to the sound board, they can be easily moved to change key or to tune, they can be placed at different parts of the sound board for more avant- garde experimental sounds. The right side of the instrument is tuned, the left side is not tuned and its mostly used for creating those unique bending sounds or (vibrato) that we often hear and love.
Here is a picture of Guzheng legend Master Weishan Liu playing the Guzheng, notice the bridges holding the strings which allows for the musician to bend the sound which is a highlight of the instruments character.
The beautiful and profoundly soothing sound of this instrument has been the source of inspiration for poets and scholars for over two thousand years. Below is a poem I wrote in awe of this instrument.
The guzheng is very much like a dragon over the sea, peaceful and strong, associated with the qualities of water and spirituality, this instrument has certainly brought beauty to us in the USA. I hope that people will always continually be inspired to learn this incredible instrument and its history!. I will never forget the first time I heard my teacher play High Mountain Flowing Rivers 高山流水 (Gao Shan Liu Shui) it moved me to tears. Before me sat an expert Guzheng musician from China with 50 years experience playing the guzheng, with sound he painted a scene of ancient China, with mountains and rivers, trees and forest animals all majestically one with nature. I encourage you to check out the guzheng and read about its history, quite a cool instrument!
March was a month of many movements and spreading more knowledge to the world. Let’s take the time to highlight positive thinking within ourselves. With many things going around us, we can get caught up in the things that affects us negativeity. It’s important to take the time to reflect, process, and understand how is it that we perceive things. Here are some quotes to help inspire you today.
2016 has ended and it’s officially 2017! To wrap up another year of successful the bicultural healthy living blog, here is a list of postcards highlighted from each month.
