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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula March 17, 2005 Press release and photos © 2005 Finlandia University. Reprinted with permission.

International Asian Sumi-E Painting Contest on exhibit at Finlandia 

HANCOCK -- An exhibition of works from the 2004 International Asian Sumi-E Painting Contest and Touring Exhibition has been on exhibit at Finlandia University's Finnish-American Heritage Center (FAHC) Gallery. The international juried exhibit, which continues through March 25, features the work of Chinese brushwork artists from Japan, Taiwan and the United States selected from more than 5,000 entries. 

A reception for the Sumi-E brush painting exhibition will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 18, at the FAHC Gallery. At the reception, a presentation on the appreciation of Oriental artwork and a Chinese brushwork demonstration will take place. The reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Susan Sanders of Keweenaw Bay placed sixth in the 2004 International Asian Sumi-e Brush Painting Contest and Exhibition with her painting titled "Expectation." Sanders works as a graphic designer in the Sponsored Educational Programs Department at Michigan Technological University. She has been studying studio art and oriental brush art painting at Finlandia University for several years.

Susan Sanders, right, displays her award from the 2004 International Asian Sumi-e Brush Painting Contest and Exhibition, now on exhibit at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. Pictured with Sanders is Yueh-mei Cheng, Finlandia University International School of Art and Design professor. (Photo © 2005 and courtesy Finlandia University.)

Sumi-E is roughly translated as "watercolor and ink painting." Simplicity and economy of brush strokes are its most outstanding characteristics. The art of brush painting aims to depict the spirit, rather than the semblance, of an object.

The work of a second Finlandia art student, Yu Han Liaw of Houghton, was also selected by the contest judging committee for exhibition. Her brush painting is titled "Rebuild." Liaw, originally from Taiwan, is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)  in studio art illustration at Finlandia. Both of the student works are published in the exhibition catalog. (Another painting by Liaw is being exhibited at the Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery in Fredonia, N.Y. See below.)

"In both student works, the artist's life experience is expressed inventively using oriental ink painting, creating a fresh look," said Finlandia University International School of Art and Design Professor Yueh-mei Cheng. "Both paintings were highly praised by the contest judging committee as successful examples of cross-cultural ink painting development."

A Sumi-E Asian brush art painting titled, "Rebuild," by Yu Han Liaw of Houghton. (Photo © 2005 and courtesy Finlandia University)

The artwork of Sanders, Liaw, and Cheng, along with the selected works of additional artists, is included in the exhibition.

The purpose of the contest and exhibition is to promote art education and to foster a sense of beauty through the ink brush paintings of artists from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. As director of The Federation of American-Asian Culture and Art, Professor Cheng traveled to Japan and Taiwan in the spring of 2004 to participate on the jury selection committee for the 2004 Contest and Touring Exhibition.

Through the contest and exhibition, The International Federation of Asian Culture and Art aims to advance international cultural exchange and to help to build a better and more harmonious global community. The exhibit has also been shown at the Osaka Fine Art Museum in Osaka, Japan, and the Chungchen Memorial Museum in Taipei, Taiwan. The selection of the award-winning artwork on Finlandia's campus is a United States premiere. 

The exhibit is sponsored by Finlandia University, The Federation of Japan NPO Asian Culture and Art, The Federation of Taiwan Asian Culture and Art, The Federation of Hong Kong Asian Culture and Art and The Federation of American Asian Culture and Art. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. Please call 487-7500 for more information.

Yu Han Liaw's self portrait on exhibit in New York

"Emotion in My Face," a self portrait by Finlandia student Yu Han Liaw, originally from Taiwan, is on exhibit at the Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center Art Gallery in Fredonia, N.Y. (Photo © 2005 and courtesy Finlandia University.)

Yu Han produced the winning entry using acrylic paints and geometric shapes to create a three-dimensional effect. Each pattern and shape in the painting represents an emotion on the face of the artist. Yu Han based the painting on a photograph of herself, adding color, patterns and shapes to gain a better understanding of self. 

Yu Han Liaw, originally from Taiwan, is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in studio art illustration at Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design. (Photo © 2005 and courtesy Finlandia University.)

"What is in our minds is also written on our faces," said Yu Han.

Yu Han Liaw, currently of Houghton, is originally from Taiwan. She will complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design in May 2006.

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