Japan Society

PAST EXHIBITION

Robert Coffland on Collecting Bamboo Art in America

October 28, 2008—October 28, 2008

The emergence of bamboo as a high-level art form with named practitioners is a recent phenomenon, the ramifications of which are currently on display in New Bamboo at Japan Society Gallery, featuring over 90 seminal works from 23 living artists. In Robert Coffland on Collecting Bamboo Art in America, Coffland, the country's leading dealer in Japanese bamboo who is on close terms with many of today's most celebrated practitioners offers a unique perspective on the contemporary working environment, the domestic politics of craft associations and exhibitions, and the international world of art fairs and collectors. Joe Earle, Director of Japan Society Gallery and curator of New Bamboo leads the conversation.

Robert T. Coffland is co-owner with his wife, Mary Hunt Kahlenberg, of TAI Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their TAI Gallery is involved in developing and curating public and private art collections in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Coffland is the author of Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Arts, The Bamboo Basket Art of Higashi Takesonosai, and Hin: The Quiet Beauty of Japanese Bamboo Art. He was also a contributor to Lloyd E. Cotsen’s book, Japanese Bamboo Baskets: Masterworks of Form and Texture.  He has curated exhibitions in numerous public institutions across the US. Coffland first visited Japan in 1982 and has traveled extensively throughout Japan meeting bamboo artists. His wife says their high level of activity in Japan is directly linked to her husband’s great love of Japanese food and sake. Prior to his present career, Coffland was involved in the food business and built two specialty food companies. Coffland served on the New Mexico Arts Commission, and was chair for two terms.  He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

 

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