The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums
May 23 – October 4, 2026
Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Providence, Rhode Island
risdmuseum.org
“The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums” brings together, for the first time in nearly a century, two rare albums of privately commissioned Japanese woodblock prints from the 1820s and 1830s. Pairing exquisite imagery with playful poetry, these works offer a vivid glimpse into Japan’s vibrant artistic and literary culture, reunited from collections at the RISD Museum and the Chiba City Museum of Art. /exhibitions-events/exhibitions/artistry-and-reunion-two-surimono-albums
[Image: Yashima Gakutei, A Woman with a Box and A Woman with Spools (detail), 1820s. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf 56.039.35–.36]
Zimo Yang (RISD Illustration, 2026) @zimowashere created these playful character designs for our upcoming exhibition “The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums.”
The two characters were inspired by the printer’s stamp in the lower left corner and the hobby horse print featured in slide 2. The pair help demonstrate the process of Japanese woodblock printing.
After first sketching the series, Zimo finalized the illustrations using a softer, subdued palette: “My personal work often uses brighter colors, so this was a way of adapting my style while keeping the focus on the artworks,” she says “This helped me find a balance between maintaining my voice and fitting the tone of the show.”
We’re grateful to Zimo for lending her creativity and talent to this exhibition!
Images: 1, 3, 4: Courtesy of the artist.
2: Details of Nagayama Kōin 長山孔寅, Baien 梅園; Tani Seikō 谷清好, Hobby Horse and Vegetables, ca. 1825-1827. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf.
Bring your craft project to the museum for a casual hangout with other fiber artists!
Stop by this Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 PM to connect with other fiber enthusiasts during this low pressure and FREE making session. Led by @lolaspilled
Save your free spot via the link in bio ↑
Khalil McKnight (RISD BFA 2027, Painting) @khalilmcknight_ , winner of the 2026 Dorner Prize will perform The Observer for the final time this Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM!
Stop by our galleries for free to experience this provocative performance that critically examines institutional access and the relationship of Black and Brown bodies to museum spaces.
Celebrate bold and masterful Japanese woodblock prints during our FREE opening reception of "The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums" on Thursday, May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 PM! Save your free spot via the link in bio ↑
200 years ago, the actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VII was famous for his dynamic theater performances. His fans and artistic circle produced surimono, luxurious woodblock prints, to celebrate the actor's riveting performances.
Image: Sakuragawa Jihinari 桜川慈悲成, Ichikawa Danjurō VII as Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa in the play Shibaraku; Ichikawa Danjuro VII (Nanadai Ichikawa Danjuro), ca. 1830. Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Hey knitters, crocheters, embroiders, and all fiber crafters – stop by the museum to craft together in community!
Process as Power, led by museum educator Lola Rael, is a making session fostering an inclusive and supportive space for fiber artists of all levels.
Join us Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 PM, register for FREE via the link in bio ↑
Spend Mother's Day among beautiful art, quiet, and peaceful respite in our galleries.
Plan meaningful time with the mothers in your life by reserving your tickets to the museum via the link in bio to ↑
Image: Photography by Dee Speaks.
May the 4th be with you. Do you think this untitled photograph of sand dunes and clouds by Arthur J. Bell evokes more Jakku or Tatooine?
Image: Arthur J. Bell, Untitled (sand hills with blue sky and clouds), n.d. Gift of the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the Center for Creative Photography, The University of Arizona.
The energy we're bringing to May 💃
Image: Jean Baptiste Pillement, May; from Allégories des douze mois de l'année (Allegories of the Twelve Months of the Year), 1759. Mary B. Jackson Fund.
Today is Denim Day, a campaign by @peaceovrviolnce that uses denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that continue to surround sexual violence.
We are highlighting this pair of jeans from our collection as a reminder that what someone wears is never an excuse and never equals consent.
Image: Anne Marika Verploegh Chassé; G-Star RAW, Jeans, ca. 2005. Gift of Anne Marika Verploegh Chassé.
![The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono AlbumsMay 23 – October 4, 2026Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)Providence, Rhode Islandrisdmuseum.org“The Artistry and Reunion of Two Surimono Albums” brings together, for the first time in nearly a century, two rare albums of privately commissioned Japanese woodblock prints from the 1820s and 1830s. Pairing exquisite imagery with playful poetry, these works offer a vivid glimpse into Japan’s vibrant artistic and literary culture, reunited from collections at the RISD Museum and the Chiba City Museum of Art. /exhibitions-events/exhibitions/artistry-and-reunion-two-surimono-albums[Image: Yashima Gakutei, A Woman with a Box and A Woman with Spools (detail), 1820s. Gift of George Pierce and Pauline Pumpelly Cabot Metcalf 56.039.35–.36]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727476112545221575244_0_01b6148bf2ed49e6f4922a7644d30503.jpg?o=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&h=f4a2cdc8114fbbe3e95e39cf3017eccb)
