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October 12, 2012

Billy Graham Center Museum Exhibit: "Beauty Given by Grace"

Boat in the Storm The Billy Graham Center Museum at Wheaton College presents "Beauty Given by Grace", a new traveling exhibit featuring the work of Japanese printmaker Sadao Watanabe, October 8, 2012 – March 24, 2013.

The Billy Graham Center Museum proudly serves as the inaugural venue for this exhibit comprised of 50 of the artist's original stencil prints, calendars, and cards. This collection of work with biblical themes presents a Japanese artist of critical acclaim, profound originality, and relentless spiritual dedication.

Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) converted from Buddhism to Christianity at 17 years old. He expressed stories of his new faith in indigenous Japanese language and style, depicting biblical themes using a traditional folk art of hand-cut-stencil dyeing called katazome. Watanabe’s works impart a unique visual legacy to contemporary sacred art.

On Friday, October 12, the Museum will host an opening reception and book signing from 4 -7 p.m. in its rotunda and gallery. After a short program at 6 p.m.,contributors to the exhibition's accompanying book will be available to sign copies. The book includes full-page reproductions of Watanabe's prints as well as background essays by experts in contemporary sacred art, including Watanabe's translator Dr. John Hesselink, artist and collector Sandra Bowden, journalist and collector John A. Kohan, and Japanese-American artist Makoto Fujimura. The book will be available for purchase.

These events are free and open to the public. "Beauty Given by Grace" is brought to the Billy Graham Center Museum in partnership with CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts.) The Billy Graham Center, located at 500 College Avenue in Wheaton, offers free parking and is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 630.752.5909 or visit the website at www.bgcmuseum.org.
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