“Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson presents an exhibition by acclaimed Artist, Kate Breakey, in the gallery from January 27th through March 30th. 

Photograms, or ‘photogenic drawings’, are the earliest form of photography, a process invented by Henry Fox Talbot. The images are made without a camera; subjects are simply placed on light sensitive paper and exposed to light resulting in a negative shadow with variation in tone according to the transparency of the object. Specimens used in this process include beautiful natural living organisms such as plants, insects, and animals. Their ghostly imprint, a permanent record of their brief existence on this earth. These are part of Breakey’s larger series ‘Las Sombras/The Shadows’ spanning 10 years, in which time she recorded hundreds of plants and creatures as part of her ongoing fascination with the natural world. 

Also in this exhibition are ‘Orotones’ – photographs printed on the back of glass and gilded with hand-applied gold-leaf. Breakey was inspired by this early 20th century photographic process popularized by among others, American photographer, Edward Curtis. However a similar process, ‘Maki-e’ (gold lacquer) Photography had been invented earlier in the late 19th century by Hanbeh Mizuno in Japan.  

Artwork courtesy of the artist and Etherton Gallery. 

The Exhibit is free with regular Gardens admission. “

For more information, visit yumegardens.org or email Patricia Deridder at yume.gardens@gmail.com.

Yume sets capacity limits to safeguard visitors and staff and observes Arizona Department of Health Services guidelines for COVID-19 management. Timed admission tickets, purchased online, are required for entry; physical distancing and facial coverings are also required, in all indoor and outdoor spaces. “

#   #   #

Yume Japanese Gardens and Museum of Tucson (www.yumegardens.org) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, located at 2130 N. Alvernon Way. It features eight examples of classical Japanese landscape design, a replica traditional Japanese cottage, a museum of Japanese art and handicrafts, an art gallery, and gift shop. It also holds seasonal Japanese festivals and classes in Japanese popular arts.