In Praise of Zen
Tatami Museum of Art, Eiheiji, Japan
November 14 - 30, 2021
Producers of the Tatami Museum of Art: Everett Kennedy Brown and Peter Wayne Lewis
In Praise of Zen presents the work of seventeen artists. Each is exploring their interpretation Zen. Their work was exhibited at the inaugural exhibition of the Tatami Museum of Art, in Eiheiji town, the home of Japanese Zen Buddhism, from November 14–30, 2021.The word Zen is now used all over the world. It is interpreted in various ways and in many contexts. We invite the viewers of this exhibition and NFT to consider what Zen means to them personally through interacting with the art of these seventeen individuals. The artists represented in this collection include well established and renowned international artists, as well as art students presenting their work for the first time. We selected male and female artists from twelve countries and five continents who work in various mediums. Our aim is to remind the viewer that art is universal; that it comes from a basic human instinct. The same can be said for Zen.
Peter Wayne Lewis, as well as many of the 17 artists, created works on the legendary Washi paper. Peter’s 5 pieces — pictured to the right — were created as a continuation of his Buddha Plays Monk Series. These 5 pieces were created in 2021 in his South Orange, NJ studio.
The creation of Washi paper is an ancient Japanese tradition, which is a registered UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, which continues to be made today. Japanese traditional Washi paper is made from a variety of plants, such as Edgeworthia Mitsumata, Lychniscoronata Gampiand Papermulberr Kouzo. Washi paper is the ultimate wabi sabi material: it is fragile yet flexible, sensitive in use, yet strong, transparent yet easy to cover with colors, lasts in time, while the patina of it, is writing beautifully on it.
Receptions:
Buddha Plays Monk South Orange Suite 1 through 5, 2021, Acrylic on Washi Paper, (c)Peter Wayne Lewis
Maria Papatzelou's Kimono for "In Praise of Zen" exhibition, Tatami Museum of Art, Eheiji, Japan
