On October 26th, I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to the Antiquarian Society of Seattle on the topic of "Mingei Biron," or Folk Craft Theory. This group of 40 women from the greater Puget Sound area was originally founded in 1938. They carry on a tradition of supporting the arts in and around Seattle. Many are artists or art historians in their own right and make presentations to the group in their own area of specialization.
My talk centered on Soetsu Yanagi's Mingei Theory, and a discussion of Yanagi's views on Art vs Craft and on a number of Japanese craft traditions. I was allowed to bring in several antique and contemporary craft items to speak for themselves. This "Sansui Dobin" (Landscape Tea Pot) from early 20th Century Mashiko was a popular piece that afternoon, as was the Tea Bowl made by Shoji Hamada, pictured below.
Thank you again to this wonderful group for the opportunity to share a subject about which I am passionate, and for their continuing support of the arts and crafts!
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