Kaji Aso
Warm Field
1978

About the Item

This artwork titled "Warm Fiels" 1978 is a watercolor on C.M. Fabriano paper by noted Japanese artist Kaji Aso, 1936-2006. It is signed and dated at the lower right corner by the artist. The artwork size is 21.5 x 28.5 inches, sheet size is 22.15 x 29.35. It is in very good condition, the paper is wavy, please see picture #4. Following is the very impressive biography of this artist. About the artist: Mr. Kaji Aso is a well established and respected artist in Japan and the United States. His work is in the permanent collection of the Prime Minister of Japan’s official residence, the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, the Modern Museum of Art (New York), the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Padua Museum of Art (Italy), the State Pushkin Art Museum (Moscow) and others. In Japan thirteen of his works are registered as National Property, the highest honor an artist can receive. When the National Living Treasures Tour came to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mr. Aso performed the final calligraphy and sumi painting demonstration. For the past thirty-four years, Mr. Kaji Aso has dedicated himself to raising the quality of life by strengthening the connection between artists and the society they live in. His many awards and honors include Distinguished Bostonian (1980); Honorary Citizen of New Orlean (1983); Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Menino of Boston (1995, 1998); Medal of Honor from Mayor of Padua, Italy (1995), Medal of Honor from the Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal (1997). In 1996 Kaji Aso was named one of the most important international calligraphers of the world by the Beijing Art Academy. The June 2002 issue of Boston Magazine named Mr. Aso one of “40 Bostonians We Love”. Kaji Aso recently received two important awards. Mr. Aso is recognized as one of the 2000 Outstanding People of the 20th Century by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England. He is also commended as one of 500 Leaders of Influence by the American Biographical Institute. This award is entered on permanent record at the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kaji Aso has been a Professor of Art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and in 1998 received a certificate of appreciation for over thirty years of service from Mr. Malcolm Rogers, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts. A gifted teacher, Mr. Aso has inspired hundreds of students. He consistently gives lectures and demonstrations at various seminars, colleges, universities and art centers. Mr. Aso is Artistic Director of Kaji Aso Studio, Institute for the Arts (founded 1973). Kaji Aso Studio offers an interdisciplinary approach to art and its gallery holds exhibitions, poetry readings and concerts. Besides being a painter, operatic tenor and poet, Mr. Aso is an adventurer. Through the years he has led artists on expeditions to famous rivers of the world. Artists bring back and share their experiences with other people through multi-media exhibitions Birth Place: Tokyo, Japan EMPLOYMENT 1967-2000 School of the Museum of Fine Arts, The Fenway, Boston, MA Senior Faculty Member, Watercolor and Oil Painting and Japanese Brushstroke 1988-98 Summer School in Japan, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA 1969-present Cambridge Center for Adult Education, Cambridge, MA Instructor of Painting 1961-1965 Jioshibi University Printmaking, Special Lecture Professor Education BFA Painting Tokyo University of Art, Tokyo, Japan MFA Printmaking Tokyo University of Art, Tokyo, Japan PROFESSIONAL AND RELATED ACTIVITIES FOUNDER: 1972-present Kaji Aso Studio, Inc. and Gallery Nature & Temptation 40 St. Stephen St., Boston, MA Institute for the Arts, Co-operative Gallery Distinguished Awards: 1998 One of “500 Leaders of Influence”, American Biographical Institute, USA Listed on permanent record at the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. 1998 One of “2000 Outstanding People of the 20th Century”, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England 1997 Medal of Honor from Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal in h in honor of successfully leading expedition of artists down Tagus River 1996 Certificate of Recognition as one of most important international calligraphers of the world, Beijing Art Academy, China 1995 Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Menino, City of Boston 1993 Proclamation of Recognition from Mayor Menino, City of Boston 1989 Mayor Raymond Flynn presents Kaji Aso with an inscribed Paul Revere bowl in honor of his rich cultural contributions to the City of Boston 1986 Receives plaque from the Internal Revenue Service for his cultural contributions to society 1983 Honorary Citizen, Key to the City of New Orleans, Louisiana. 1980 Proclaimed by the City of Boston, Distinguished Bostonian in honor of Boston’s 350th Jubilee Birthday. RESUME OF KAJI ASO (cont) -2- Lectures (selected list): 2000 “Zen and Art”, Plymouth Public Library presented by Sister-City Japan Program 1998-99 Workshops of Calligraphy and sumi painting, Worcester Art Museum 1997 Lecture/Demonstration Calligraphy and Sumi Painting for Faculty of Colleges from Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 1996 Arthur D. Little, Inc, “Best of the Best” Seminar for senior executives from around the world; calligraphy and sumi painting demonstration and lecture 1995 Lorenzo De Medici, Art Institute of Florence. Watercolor lecture and demonstration. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA. Gallery talk. 1993 Lotus Development Corporation. History of Japanese Art and Culture. 1993 Harvard University. History of Japanese Art and Culture. 1993-present MIT Japan Program, Cambridge, MA. Japanese Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony.1997 Lecture/Demonstration Calligraphy and Sumi Painting for Faculty of Colleges from Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 1996 Arthur D. Little, Inc, “Best of the Best” Seminar for senior executives from around the world; calligraphy and sumi painting demonstration and lecture 1995 Lorenzo De Medici, Art Institute of Florence. Watercolor lecture and demonstration. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA. Gallery talk. 1993 Lotus Development Corporation. History of Japanese Art and Culture. 1993 Harvard University. History of Japanese Art and Culture. 1993-present MIT Japan Program, Cambridge, MA. Japanese Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony 1985-present Tufts University, Medford, MA. History of Japanese Art and Culture. 1985 Lecture and slide presentation on Kyoto, Nara, Japan. 1984 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. Demonstration and lecture on Eastern Tradition of Watercolor. 1983 FROM ART TO TAO, Boston, MA 1981 ZEN AND DESCARTES, Tufts University, Medford, MA 1979 Phillips Academy, Andover, MA. Seminar for High School and College Instructors, sponsored by Japanese Embassy. Lecture and demonstration on Eastern Art. 1978 SPIRIT OF EASTERN ART, Harvard University, Gutman Library. Publications: “The Story of Paris”, Publications, illustrations Delta Sky Magazine, cover illustration “The Spring of My Life”, Shambhala Publications, illustrations for haiku “The Sound of Water”, Shambhala Publications, illustrations for haiku Proteus, volume of original poetry Substance and Phenomenon, an original philosophical treatise. Thoughts Passing By, tradition of Kenko, (Philosophical essay A.D. 13 Japanese) Articles: Shogakukan, 1998-99, “Night Conversations” series of articles Aica Eyes, Summer 1997, “Spring in Boston” Shambhala Sun, July 1997, “About Hai-ga” Shambhala Sun, January 1995, “Calligraphy and My Life” Marie Claire, Japanese/French magazine. “Volga River Trip” 1989 RESUME OF KAJI ASO (cont) -3- Boston University Journal of Education, 1984, Vol. 166 No.4 “What is The Source Of Art” East/West Journal-“Living Treasure”, 1983 Artsmedia, 2000 Who’s Who in American Art, 1993 Mado, Japanese Art Magazine 1992 Sansai, Japanese Art Magazine 1987, 88, 89, 92, 93 Meetings with Remarkable Men and Women Book Published by East/West Journal. Interview with Kaji Aso. 1989 Asahi, Japanese National Magazine 1989 Yomiuri, Japanese National Magazine 1989 Fuji, Japanese National Television 1988 Documentaries: “Kaji Aso” CityLine, Channel 5 “Kaji Aso” New England Cable News, Channel 38 in Boston and throughout New England, 1995 “Kaji Aso Studio on the Nile River” Shown at Boston Public Library, 1994 and Gallery Nature and Temptation, Boston 1993 “Kaji Aso Studio on the Volga” Shown at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 1990 Expeditions: 1997 Led group of artists down Tagus River on the Iberia Peninsula (Spain/Portugal) by kayak 1993 Hanamaki Art Colony, Hanamaki, Japan Cultural Exchange directed and co-organized by Kaji Aso in association with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

Creator:

Kaji Aso (1936 - 2006)

Creation Year:

1978

Dimensions:

Height: 22.15 in (56.27 cm)Width: 29.35 in (74.55 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.26 mm)

Medium:

Watercolor

Movement & Style:

Abstract Expressionist

Period:

Late 20th Century