ACF 726: Through Eastern Windows exhibition opens this Thursday at The Korea Society

Through Eastern Windows:
Prints by Elizabeth Keith
and Traditional Korean Hats

Elizabeth Keith, an intrepid traveler and visionary artist, first ventured to Asia almost a century ago, where she filled travel journals with lively, realistic sketches of Korea and other destinations. At the encouragement of a Japanese publisher, she translated her sketches and watercolors into etchings and woodblock prints. As author of Eastern Windows (1928) and Old Korea (1946), Keith sought to capture a “vanishing Korea,” and her work remains especially relevant today as a view into the Korea of her age.

Accompanying the woodblock prints, etchings, and watercolors on display is an array of traditional hats from the period. From horsehair to bamboo, the materials employed by the contemporaneous Korean artisans add context and texture to Keith’s work. The hats served to connote the wearer’s status, a theme also examined in Keith’s work.

The headpieces are on loan from the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum, Korean Art and Antiques, and the collection of Lea Sneider.

The Elizabeth Keith woodblock prints, etchings and watercolor are on loan from the collection of Young-Dahl Song. The attendant photos and postcards are from the collection of Norman Thorpe.

This exhibition will run October 14th - December 2nd, 2010.

Opening Reception Thursday, October 14th, 2010:

5:00 PM Members Preview
6:00 PM Gallery Opening and Refreshments
- Gallery Talk with Young-Dahl Song

Click to RSVP.

There also will be a Korean Traditional Hat Making Workshop from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM every Monday from November 8th to 29th, 2010. (Instead of using the preceeding link, you may contact gallery director Jinyoung Kim or call 212.759.7525, ext. 316.)

Workshop Costs:
- Members $100
- Non-Members $125
- Material Fee $50

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue@57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC.

The building entrance is on 57th Street, the South-West corner of the intersection.