Kintsugi and the Nature of Mindfulness: A Fireside Chat

Lecture with Artist Naoko Fukumaru: In celebration of the start of the exhibition Kintsugi: The Restorative Art of Naoko Fukumaru, join us for a fireside chat exploring the ways that the artform of kintsugi speaks to themes of healing, everyday aesthetics, and mindfulness. Kintsugi, (pronounced keen-tsue-ghee) is the 500-year-old Japanese method of mending damaged ceramics so that imperfections are highlighted, rather than hidden. In recent years, this traditional restoration technique has gained worldwide attention as a poignant metaphor for healing and self-affirmation. Fukumaru’s work reflects both traditional kintsugi and the expressive power of kintsugi as an art form, creating artworks that draw inspiration from the natural world as well as themes of renewal and liberation. As we collectively recover from a global pandemic and the stresses of daily life, Portland Japanese Garden invites you to join us for this special conversation on mindfulness and aesthetics within the meditative embrace of our Garden.