History and Characteristics of Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art
The Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art is located in Tenjin, which is the central section of Kyushu¡Çs most dynamic and exciting city, Fukuoka City. This museum, formerly known as the Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Center, initially opened on November 3, 1964 in Suzaki Park. After twenty-one years, the culture center was completely remodeled. On November 3, 1985, the Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Center started a new chapter, as it reopened as the Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art.
In the past, the Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Center held a variety of large and exquisite exhibitions, such as the Tutankhamen Exhibition, Renoir Exhibition, and the Qin Dynasty Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. In those days, the culture center was also an important place for displaying the works of art by the citizens of Fukuoka,including Kyushu-ha artists, who were a strong influence on postwar art. In 1940 prior to the opening of the culture center, the Art Exhibition of Fukuoka began. This impressive art exhibition was later relocated to the culture center after its opening. Artists like Kenichi NAKAMURA, Harue KOGA, Zenzaburo KOJIMA, and Keisen TOMITA, were a few of the many Fukuoka artists whose remarkable works were put on public display.
Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Center, which was fully remodeled and renamed, the Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art continues the promotion of art in Fukuoka Prefecture. It rejuvenated this promotion through the Yajuro TAKASHIMA Exhibition, Officially Employed Painters Exhibition, works by Mitake KAWABE, and Modern Japanese Paintings. Artistic works not only by the artists above but by Shigeru AOKI, Hanjiro SAKAMOTO and drawings handed down from generation to generation in Ogata family, who gained recognition as officially empolyed painters of Fukuoka in Edo era. Kurume Kasuri fabrics and some early ceramic from Kyushu are also housed in the museum. All of these fine exhibits display the diverse Art of Fukuoka.
Work has started on new projects that reflect the work of contemporary artists. Prospects for Contemporary LIVE IMAGINATION, Seven Attitudes, Seven Dialogues were held and the Fukuoka Contemporary Art Scene are constantly exhibited. The word,¡ÈNow¡Éis the theme throughout these exhibitions.
In order to answer the various interests in art, a Museum Library was also opened. This library houses an impressive collection of over 200,000 art books. Video booths and high vision galleries were also created so the public has easy access to video programs on the arts.
Efforts are being made to increase the number of people who understand and appreciate the arts. An annual Art Exhibition of Fukuoka, local-level art exhibitions, outstanding nationwide art exhibitions, the opening of art seminars, and informative brochures are examples of how the Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art is promoting the arts.
We will continue to examine the art activities of the past, present, and the future to find new avenues to contribute to the development of art. It is our hope that through these pursuits more people will be able to enjoy the magnificent beauty of the arts.
director
|
