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UID:79@breathebayarea.us
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240313T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240406T180000
DTSTAMP:20240312T174659Z
URL:https://breathebayarea.us/events/arthur-okamura-buddhas-garden/
SUMMARY:Arthur Okamura: Buddha's Garden
DESCRIPTION:\nExplore the Tranquil Beauty of Arthur Okamura's "Buddha's Gar
 den"\nThe Paul Thiebaud Gallery invites art enthusiasts to delve into the 
 serene world of Arthur Okamura in their upcoming exhibition\, "Buddha's Ga
 rden." Opening on February 17th\, 2024 with a reception from 3-5pm\, this 
 showcase marks the debut presentation of works from the Okamura Estate.\nA
  Journey Through Brushstrokes and Zen\nThe exhibition features ten captiva
 ting acrylic paintings\, each a window into Okamura's artistic vision. Exp
 lore surreal Asian rock gardens\, vibrant Western floral havens\, and capt
 ivating representations of the Buddha. A dedicated Zen Buddhist\, Okamura'
 s (1932-2009) life and practice are woven into the very fabric of his art.
  This is evident in the brushwork\, subject matter\, and carefully chosen 
 color palettes that evoke a sense of tranquility and contemplation.\nA Lif
 e in Gardens\nOkamura's lifelong fascination with gardens is a central the
 me in his work. From the early 1970s until his passing in 2009\, he repeat
 edly explored the beauty of both Eastern and Western garden designs. The i
 nfluence of his friend\, Richard Crawford\, is evident in several works ca
 pturing the meticulous floral arrangements of Crawford's Hawaiian garden. 
 These paintings share a stylistic kinship with the famed gardens of Givern
 y\, immortalized by Claude Monet a century earlier.\nIn contrast to the lu
 shness of the floral pieces\, Okamura's "Rock Studies" present a meditativ
 e stillness. Each composition features a trio of stones surrounded by swir
 ling lines reminiscent of the patterns found in Japanese sand gardens. The
  artist's skillful layering of paint creates a sense of energy emanating f
 rom the stones\, while simultaneously lending a dreamlike quality to the s
 cene. The symbolism of rocks in Asian gardens is left open to interpretati
 on\, with meanings ranging from islands and mountains to representations o
 f natural power or even the Buddha himself.\nThe Enduring Presence of the 
 Buddha\nDepictions of the Buddha figure are another recurring theme in Oka
 mura's work. The exhibition includes two large-scale paintings showcasing 
 the Buddha in the lotus position. "Kamakura" (1994) embodies a more tradit
 ional style\, with its calming jade greens and detailed rendering of the B
 uddha's robes. In contrast\, "American Buddha" (1994) presents a bolder in
 terpretation\, featuring a vibrant backdrop of blues and purples complemen
 ted by the radiating lines seen in the rock studies.\nA Life Dedicated to 
 Art and Zen\nBorn in California in 1932\, Okamura's life was marked by bot
 h hardship and artistic pursuit. During World War II\, his family was forc
 ed into internment camps. Following the war\, Okamura honed his artistic s
 kills at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago\, later embarking on a
  career as an educator. A pivotal moment in his life was encountering Zen 
 Buddhism under the guidance of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. This spiritual practi
 ce deeply influenced Okamura's life and work\, leading to a professorship 
 at the California College of Arts and Crafts.\nA Legacy in Paint\nArthur O
 kamura's vast artistic legacy transcends the boundaries of medium\, includ
 ing paintings\, drawings\, watercolors\, and prints. His works have graced
  numerous exhibitions across the United States and are featured in prestig
 ious collections around the world. "Buddha's Garden" offers a unique oppor
 tunity to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Okamura's artistic visi
 on\, where Zen philosophy meets the captivating world of gardens and the e
 nduring presence of the Buddha.\nDon't miss this captivating exhibition! M
 ark your calendar for February 17th and experience the tranquility of "Bud
 dha's Garden" at the Paul Thiebaud Gallery.\n\n\n\nBOOK SPOTS\n
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://breathebayarea.us/wp-content/uploads/202
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CATEGORIES:Wellness Events
LOCATION:Paul Thiebaud Gallery\, 645 Chestnut St.\, San Francisco\, \, Cali
 fornia\, 94133\, United States
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 cisco\, \, California\, 94133\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=P
 aul Thiebaud Gallery:geo:0,0
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