Layer by Layer: The Conservation of Chiura Obata's "Horses" Screen

Chiura Obata: Layer by Layer presents an in-depth look at the creation and conservation of Chiura Obata’s Horses screen. During the screen’s 2022 treatment, conservators at Nishio Conservation Studio discovered that the four-paneled screen contained hidden full-scale preparatory charcoal drawings of the horses. In addition, they found that the screen’s internal layers were made of practice drawings by Obata and his summer 1932 students. The recently conserved screen, the full-scale under-drawings, and a selection of the practice drawings will be on display. A short film will accompany the show, allowing visitors a glimpse into the conservation process, an art within itself. Conservation on the screen and underdrawings made possible through a grant from the Bank of America Art Conservation Project. Additional conservation funds for the underdrawings provided by the Ann K. Stewart Docent and Volunteer Conservation Fund.