In Winter, Silk Linings: The Kimono in Print
November 17, 2007 – February 17, 200

PORTLAND, OR — Japan’s national costume, the kimono, is more than a garment. It is an expressive form of dress that conveys complex social meanings through its details. In Winter, Silk Linings, on view at the Portland Art Museum November 17, 2007 through February 17, 2008, explores the significance of kimono ensembles as seen in the Museum’s distinguished collection of woodblock prints, which reveal the innovative styles and enduring traditions that guide how this robe, obi sash, and other accessories are worn. Drawn largely from the Museum’s holdings, the exhibition features 70 objects including prints produced between the 18th and 20th centuries, a kimono and obi, woodblock printed books, and stencils used for dyeing textiles.

In Winter, Silk Linings also explores the relationship between woodblock prints and textiles. The production of prints, like the process of textile dyeing, involves numerous steps and the skilled hands of many artisans to delineate and color the complex compositions. The rich tones and finely carved details seen in the prints further illustrate the affinity with textiles. When introduced to the Japanese public in the mid-1700s, the polychrome woodblock prints evoked the brilliance and texture of elegant tapestries, inspiring the sobriquet "brocade pictures" (nishiki-e).

Woodblock prints traditionally served as a communication medium, spreading information about the latest fashions through glamorous depictions of noted beauties and Kabuki actors. A historical record of clothing styles and popular culture, the prints likewise illuminate an abiding concern for seasonal relevance and the value placed on fine craftsmanship. The interwoven worlds of print and textile, and of material culture and graphic design, demonstrate the vitality of deeply rooted traditions.

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

WHEN
November 17, 2007 – February 17, 2008

WHERE
Helen Copeland Gallery and Adams Foundation Foyer

ORGANIZER
Portland Art Museum

INSTITUTIONAL CURATOR
Guest-curated by Lynn Katsumoto

HOURS

Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm
Thursdays & Fridays 10 am – 8 pm
Closed Mondays and certain holidays; visit portlandartmuseum.org for a complete holiday schedule.

ADMISSION

Museum members FREE*
Adults $10
Seniors (55+)/Students (19+) $9
Youth (5 – 18) $6
Children ages 4 and younger FREE
Group Tickets (12 or more) $8*

*Special exhibition and event pricing may apply.

About the Portland Art Museum
The seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest on the West Coast, the Portland Art Museum is internationally recognized for its permanent collection and ambitious special exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s holdings and the world’s finest public and private collections. The Museum’s collection of 42,000 objects, displayed in 112,000 square feet of galleries, reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection is distinguished for its holdings of arts of the native peoples of North America, English silver, and the graphic arts. An active collecting institution, dedicated to preserving great art for the enrichment of future generations, the Museum devotes 90 percent of its galleries to its permanent collection. The Museum’s campus of landmark buildings, a cornerstone of Portland’s cultural district, includes the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art, the Gilkey Center for Graphic Arts, the Schnitzer Center for Northwest Art, the Northwest Film Center, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Center for Native American Art. With a membership of more than 23,000 households and serving more than 350,000 visitors annually, the Museum is a premier venue for education in the visual arts. For information on exhibitions and programs, call 503.226.2811 or visit portlandartmuseum.org.