Join us for an insightful presentation by Dr. Chelsea Foxwell, co-curator of the Meiji Modern: Fifty Years of New Japan shown at the Asia Society Museum until early January and from this March in Chicago. Dr. Foxwell's expertise in Japanese art, especially during the transformative Meiji era, offers a unique perspective on how Japanese artists embraced Western influences to create innovative works.

The exhibition highlights the art of the Meiji era as the first art to be consciously collected as "contemporary Japanese art" globally, underscoring its historical significance. Dr. Foxwell will present an overview of the exhibition and reflect on recent curatorial interpretations of the art and culture of the Meiji era. It was a time of transformation for Japan with the introduction of newly imported techniques, materials, and objects. In this installment of Art for Breakfast, Dr. Foxwell will discuss her challenges, goals, and future aspirations for exhibiting Meiji art.

Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the artistic evolution during the Meiji era and its global impact. The event will also offer an opportunity for a dynamic discussion, allowing participants to engage with Dr. Foxwell and delve into the intricacies of presenting this pivotal period in Japanese art history. We look forward to your attendance!

Event and Registration Details

• This event will be conducted in in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is open to the public and free.

Speaker Bio

Chelsea Foxwell

Chelsea Foxwell is Associate Professor of Art History, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and the College, and Director, Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago. Dr. Foxwell’s scholarship ranges from the medieval through modern periods of Japanese art with special emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. She is the author of Making Modern Japanese-Style Painting: Kano Hōgai and the Search for Images (2015). In 2012 she co-curated the exhibition Awash in Color: French and Japanese Prints with Anne Leonard at the Smart Museum of Art. Dr. Foxwell earned her B.A. from Harvard University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University. Her research has been supported by the Japan Foundation, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan), and the Franke Institute for the Humanities.