[JEANSELLEM VIEWER] — MASAAKI UESHIMA 08 - 27.06.1973 — Categories: press, letters, visual — Keywords: Galerie S:t Petri, Jean Sellem, archive — Category: press — Kyoto – LundWith delicate brushstrokes…At Galerie S:t Petri in Lund, the Japanese artist Masaaki Ueshima from Kyoto is exhibiting. His work is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese art. He has illustrated three books himself. In Lund, he is showing ink and watercolour paintings. This is his first exhibition in Sweden. — — — Category: press — Japanese Art at S:t PetriGalerie S:t Petri is presenting, from 8 to 27 June 1973, ink and watercolour paintings by Masaaki Ueshima from Kyoto.His work is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese art, its philosophy and techniques. Both Zen Buddhism and the spontaneous form of brush painting known in Japanese as haiga, or “visual haiku”, have been important sources of inspiration for him. Ueshima has illustrated three books with such spontaneous brush paintings, some in colour and others in different shades of black ink.Masaaki Ueshima seeks to preserve as much as possible of the old Kyoto tradition. He lives among the mountains in a 250-year-old farmhouse that has been transformed into an exceptional repository for Yamato Mingei, or Japanese folk art and crafts.This is his first exhibition in Sweden. — — — Category: press — An example of haiga, or “visual haiku”, a very old Japanese art form.Traditional Japanese Art at S:t PetriLUND: Haiga, or “visual haiku”, is a traditional Japanese art form, examples of which can be seen in an exhibition opening at Galerie S:t Petri in Lund. The artist Masaaki Ueshima from Kyoto is showing his ink and watercolour paintings in Sweden for the first time.His work is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese art, its philosophy and techniques. Both Zen Buddhism and the spontaneous form of brush painting known in Japanese as haiga, or “visual haiku”, have been important sources of inspiration for him. Ueshima has illustrated three books with such spontaneous brush paintings, some in colour and others in different shades of black ink.Masaaki Ueshima seeks to preserve as much as possible of the old Kyoto tradition. He lives among the mountains in a 250-year-old farmhouse that has been transformed into an exquisite repository for Yamato Mingei, or Japanese folk art and crafts. — — — Category: letters — Copenhagen, 17 January 1973Mr Jean SellemGalerie S:t PetriS:t Petri Kyrkogata 5LundSwedenBefore returning to Japan, the Japanese artist Masaaki Ueshima attempted to contact you with a view to exhibiting at your gallery in the spring of 1973.Masaaki Ueshima was in Denmark only briefly before returning home and, as mentioned, unfortunately did not manage to meet you. He therefore asked me to contact you in order to make more detailed arrangements for the proposed exhibition, and entrusted me with handling these arrangements.I can inform you that Masaaki Ueshima left with me drawings and other works intended for the exhibition. He also entrusted me with a number of old handwoven rugs that he had collected in Japan. The rugs had been used as coverings for mattresses (futons). He would also be interested in exhibiting these.I would be pleased to hear when it might be possible to hold the exhibition in your gallery, as well as the terms under which it could take place. I would also like to visit Lund on occasion, preferably on a Saturday, and would be grateful to hear what might be possible in this regard.Yours sincerely, — — — Category: letters — — — Category: letters — Dear Mr Sellem,First of all, please accept my apologies for this long delay in replying to your kind letter of 5 March. I have been away travelling through remote rural districts, collecting old Japanese folk art and craft objects, and have only just returned to find your letter waiting for me at my country house.I hope it is not too late to provide the information you requested, which is enclosed with this letter. It includes details of my curriculum vitae and my views on art.The terms proposed by your gallery are very generous, and I am happy to accept them. However, as it is rather difficult to convert yen into Swedish kronor here, I suggest that you deduct the gallery costs — 360 Swedish kronor for three weeks, plus 100 kronor for press information, etc., as well as the cost of the poster — from the proceeds of any paintings sold. If these costs exceed the proceeds from the sales, I will arrange with my bank here to send you the difference in Swedish kronor. Would this arrangement be satisfactory to you?I agree that the idea of a poster is preferable to sending out invitations, as your previous experience has shown. I will leave the design and printing arrangements for the poster to you and Mr Pedersen. Many thanks for taking care of these matters. As you say, part of the printing costs could be covered by selling the poster at the exhibition. I would also like to receive a few copies for myself and for friends here.I am very grateful to you and Mr Pedersen for taking care of all these matters and for arranging the exhibition.With best wishes for the success of my exhibition and your gallery,Yours sincerely,Masaaki Ueshima — — — Category: letters — Lund, 5 March 1973Dear Masaaki,I received your works from Mr Arne Pedersen a few days ago. I am very pleased that we will be holding an exhibition of your work. Unfortunately, I cannot yet give you the exact dates, but as soon as I know them I will let you know.Mr Pedersen gave me your works but did not have any written information about you. Could you therefore please send the gallery, as soon as possible, as much biographical information as you can, together with material concerning the philosophy behind your paintings. I also need 20 black-and-white photographs for the press.Some time ago I came to the conclusion that there is little point in sending out invitation cards. Publicity comes mainly through newspaper articles. By not printing invitations, you can save 400 Swedish kronor: 200 kronor for printing and 200 kronor for postage.I think it would be much better to print a poster. The gallery would put up about 20 copies in Lund and send others to important individuals and institutions — museums, art galleries, etc. During the exhibition, you could also sell the poster at a modest price.I could speak to Mr Pedersen about having the poster printed in Denmark.The gallery costs for the three weeks are 360 Swedish kronor, plus 100 kronor for press information, postage for sending material to art critics, etc. You would have to pay for the poster yourself.As you know, the gallery takes no commission on works sold. Everything goes to the artist.I would be grateful for a prompt reply.Yours, — — — Category: letters — This document is written in English. Please refer to the image to read the original text. — — — Category: letters — Lund, 8 July 1973Dear Masaaki,Your exhibition is now over. Mr Pedersen has already taken care of your works.The exhibition was very well attended, but unfortunately you only sold two small book illustrations for 150 Swedish kronor each.Enclosed with this letter are the articles written about your exhibition. I was very pleased to have this exhibition in my gallery and, since the gallery is well known, one can also say that people in southern Sweden now know about you.As you already know, the gallery costs amount to 360 Swedish kronor for three weeks, plus 100 kronor for stamps, envelopes, stencils, etc. The two book illustrations brought in 300 kronor, leaving a balance of 160 Swedish kronor. Would it be possible for you to send me this amount through your bank?Whenever you are in Europe again, you are very welcome to visit me. Good luck in Japan!Sincerely yours,Jean Sellem — — — Category: letters — Lund, 19 September 1973Dear Masaaki Ueshima,I wrote to you in June about the exhibition and informed you of its final outcome.As I mentioned, we were unfortunately unable to cover the full costs of the exhibition. I therefore asked you to send 160 Swedish kronor in the name of Jean Sellem. Since then, I have not heard from you.As we are personally in a very precarious financial situation and make no profit from the sale of works at the exhibitions, I would be very grateful if you could send the amount immediately.With best wishes,Jean Sellem — — — Category: letters — Lund, 23 November 1973Dear Arne Pedersen,Enclosed is the correspondence exchanged between Masaaki Ueshima and Jean Sellem.I would be grateful if you could send us the 160 Swedish kronor, as our financial situation is currently extremely difficult. If this is not possible, then, in order not to lose too much, we must ask you to send us one of Masaaki’s small book illustrations.Kind regards,Marie Sjöberg — — — Category: letters — Enclosed please find a cheque for 160 Swedish kronor.I hope that the matter has now been satisfactorily resolved, and I regret that the amount owed to you was settled with some delay.Kind regards, — — — Category: visual — — — Category: visual — — — Category: visual — — — Category: visual — —