London School of Oriental and African Studies Launches Rare Exhibition

Date: 2007 October 03 18:11

Posted by Joe

Fans of Japanese art and culture that can travel to London from October to December 2007 will want to pay a visit to SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies), where they'll be hosting a exhibition of Treasures, which are used as objects of instruction, a suitable tie in for a place of education.

They'll have lots of very interesting things on display, including the late 14th Century Japanese Reisai yawa (Chinese: Lengzhai yehua; Evening Discourses from the Cold Studio). This is the oldest printed book in the SOAS library and one of few known copies of its kind in the West.

Head to the Brunei Gallery at SOAS, it'll be open from 11th October to 15th December 2007, on Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 – 17.00 Admission Free.

Full Story

Press release as follows:

Objects of Instruction
Treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies

From this October, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, is displaying a fascinating array of artefacts as part of its launch exhibition ‘Objects of Instruction – Treasures of the School of Oriental and African Studies’.

The exhibition brings together a wealth of rarely seen material, including illuminated Islamic manuscripts, Chinese and Japanese paintings and prints, South East Asian Buddhist sculpture and modernist paintings from South Asia and Africa.

Anna Contadini, Curator of the exhibition, is delighted that SOAS finally has the opportunity to exhibit these collections:

‘SOAS is a unique institution which is exclusively dedicated to the study of Asia and Africa. It has been the beneficiary of many donations over the years, and this has helped create an expanding collection of art objects, rare books and manuscripts. With this exhibition, SOAS can at last demonstrate the richness of its artistic and archival holdings and welcome students, scholars and the general public to see these rare objects.’

Funding for this exhibition, which runs from October to December, has come from The Foyle Foundation and The Arts and Humanities Research Council and, thanks to further funding from The Foyle Foundation, the exhibition will become a permanent display in the new Foyle Special Collections Gallery.


As Anna explains:

‘This exhibition is long overdue and we are delighted to be able to show the extent of the SOAS collection. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see some very special pieces and learn more about European reactions to Asia and Africa, as well as finding out how the fascinating SOAS collections were amassed.’
Brunei Gallery, SOAS
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square
London
WC1H 0XG

www.soas.ac.uk/gallery

Open:
11th October – 15th December
Tuesday – Saturday 10.30 – 17.00
Admission Free

T: 020 7898 4915 - Reception
T: 020 7898 4023/4026 Exhibitions Office.
T: 020 7898 4046 - recorded info