Samurai exhibition opens at Art Gallery of South Australia
An exhibition about samurai culture gives new meaning to the art of war at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
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Any way you slice it, the samurai and their swords have become enduring icons of Japanese culture – and of the Art Gallery of SA’s own collection.
The ornate 17th century suit of armour acquired by the Gallery in 2016 will be joined by more than 100 other works in its Samurai exhibition, which opens Friday.
Associate curator of Asian art Russell Kelty said the exhibition tracked the political and cultural influence of the samurai from their warrior origins 800 years ago to contemporary interpretations.
“In the early 20th century and late 19th century, the samurai becomes this commodity on the world stage, through translations of things like the 47 Ronin and other tales,” Mr Kelty said.
“So it becomes really a global phenomenon.”
Art Gallery director Rhana Devenport said the exhibition “honours the prevailing cultural impact of the samurai as both masters of art and war”.
The collection includes items bequeathed to the Gallery more than a century ago by SA’s former Chief Justice, Sir Samuel Way.
“From its very beginnings in 1916 with Sir Samuel Way, there is an interest in the accoutrements of the samurai, such as sword guards and swords … so we have this amazing legacy of collecting Japanese works of art,” Mr Kelty said.
Samurai is at the Art Gallery until February, 2021.