NIGHTLIGHT Gracious Galleries: Masterpiece Theatre: Legends of the Japanese Kabuki Stage March 15 – May 5 2012 Opening Reception: Thursday, 22 March; 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Ana Tzarev
Last night at Ana Tzarev had a Japanese flair...we don't know Ana yet but we know her work.
The exhibition Masterpiece Theatre: Legends of the Japanese Kabuki Stage features paintings influenced by Ana Tzarev’s longstanding interest in Japanese history, culture and the arts. Throughout her life, Ana Tzarev has traveled extensively in Japan and developed a deep respect for the people and culture of the country. Ana Tzarev’s Kabuki paintings capture the essence of theatre in only one frame, intensifying every nuance of the performance and preserving for future generations this beautiful creation of Japanese culture. 
We are impressed by the vibrant colors employed (and that would be colours for our readers in the UK!) and the amazing texture result from the layering of paine that is clearly visible above.
When you look from the side you can see a real kind of 3D effect that seems characteristic of her work in this exhibit.
Ana Tzarev rigorously studied Kabuki theatre and has been attending performances for four decades. At the beginning of these studies, Tzarev paid particular interest to the family of actors known as Ichikawa. This theatre family has been a prominent power in Japanese culture since the 17th century. Recently Danjuro Ichikawa met with Ana Tzarev at her studio to view her Kabuki themed work. She has painted several works featuring Danjuro and his son Ebizo Ichikawa.
Noted Kabuki historian, Dr. Samuel L. Leiter, in his forward in the Masterpiece Theatre exhibition catalogue writes, “Kabuki—Japan’s legendary traditional theatre—was born in 1603, precisely when the nation was pacified under the Tokugawa shogunate, a government that reigned until 1868. From the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, when Japan was essentially isolated from the world, Kabuki developed into one of the world’s most sophisticated theatres: it introduced a path-breaking audience runway and invented the revolving stage; established acting dynasties that have continued for as long as eighteen generations; employed exceptionally skilled male actors to play female roles; and created a repertoire that continues to enthrall. Today, Kabuki’s high level of performative and visual artistry places it on a cultural plateau akin to that of opera in the West.”
In her Kabuki paintings Tzarev represents the emotional state of the theatre’s characters. To enhance these powerful figures the artist combines her signature use of vivid color and thick texture, demonstrating her precise and theatrical brushstrokes. Through this artistic movement and Tzarev’s immense knowledge of the Japanese theatre, she masterly captures the essence of Kabuki theatre.
To enhance the visitor’s experience, traditional Kabuki costumes will be displayed alongside Tzarev’s Kabuki paintings. In addition, there will be three lecture/demonstrations in the gallery by prominent Kabuki educator and practitioner, Ms. Helen Moss, on the following topics: Izumo no Okuni: The Woman who founded Kabuki; Japanese Classical Dance and its Props; Geisha. Please contact the gallery for times and dates.
Ana Tzarev
24 West 57th Street T: 212 586 9800 New York, NY 10019 F: 212 586 9802 Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm
