Chiura Obata and Yosemite

In 1927, Chiura Obata (b. 1885, Okayama, Japan; d. 1975, Berkeley) embarked on a six-week hike through Yosemite. His packs filled with brushes and paper, he collected water from streams to mix his pigments and painted in the open air, creating 150 jewellike compositions. “This experience was the greatest harvest for my whole life and future in painting,” he said.

Join us for an evening exploring and celebrating Obata’s relationship with Yosemite National Park, featuring presentations and a screenprinting activity from Yosemite park rangers Connie Lau and April Kunieda and insights from Obata’s granddaughter, Kimi Hill. A screening of the short film Obata’s Yosemite will accompany the presentations, introduced by the Oakland-based filmmaker Adam Prieto. Attendees are invited to bring a cotton item, such as a t-shirt or tote bag, to screenprint. Before or after the program, visit the exhibition Chiura Obata on Floor 2 to see the artist’s work in person (note: museum admission is required to access the galleries).