May 9, 2013

Curator Jacqueline DeGroff explained some of the artistic elements in the original Tokujiro Nishi oil paintings at a lecture and reception for the Tokujiro Nishi Art Exhibition on April 17. The paintings are on display in Drexel’s Main Building April 1 – May 17. Kristine Mulhorn, PhD, Chair of the Health Administration Department at the College, is the daughter in-law of Tokujiro Nishi and attended the event with her husband, Nishi’s son, and their daughter (pictured).

Before DeGroff began explaining Nishi’s technique, Mulhorn’s daughter, Nishi’s granddaughter, welcomed the guests. “Thank you for coming, it means a lot to my grandfather,” she said. “He is unable to come so he asked me to speak on his behalf. He would like you to know about his work. He thinks the paintings symbolize the friendship between the United States and Japan.”

After the lecture, guests walked through the exhibit at their leisure, discussing the art with each other while sampling Asian-inspired hor d'oeuvres.