By Town Crier Staff Report
An exhibit of original paintings and drawings by internationally acclaimed botanical artist Manabu Saito opens 6 p.m., tomorrow, at the Zyt Gallery in Los Altos. The exhibit, “Water & Colours: Spectrum in Flora,” will continue through Dec. 8.
The Saito exhibition contains his most recent work, including an extensive collection of colorful, intricately detailed depictions of flowers such as water lilies, bluebells, hydrangeas, roses, orchids and Mexican poppies.
An evening reception with Saito is scheduled 6-9 p.m. Thursday and will feature live music by Bay Area harpist Jennifer Cass. “A Conversation with Manabu Saito” will be held 7-9 p.m., Friday, when the artist will be available to answer questions and to sign the book “A Passion For Plants” by Dr. Shirley Sherwood, for which he provided floral illustrations.
Since 1996, Dr. Sherwood’s vast collection of paintings from over 200 botanical artists has been displayed globally. The touring exhibition recently concluded in Venice, Italy, and an extended exhibit is planned for 2002 in Oxford, England.
From 1-3 p.m., Saturday, the public is welcome to view an in-person floral painting presentation by Saito at Zyt Gallery. The artist will again be available to answer questions.
Saito paints in a traditional Japanese manner, but adds a unique contemporary flair and magnificent colors - an approach that has made his work especially favored by curators, art collectors and horticulture art enthusiasts around the world. Saito’s works are owned and displayed by such noted institutions as the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh’s Hunt Botanical Institute and the New York Horticultural Society.
Saito’s paintings have appeared in museums worldwide, on U.S. postage stamps, greeting cards, and in books and magazines such as National Geographic, Audubon and Horticulture, earning the artist a global reputation in botanical circles. He provided over 1,600 colorful illustrations for the book, “Wildflowers of North America,” known as the definitive field guide.
“The enduring beauty of nature provides my motivation. Today, I believe I am painting better than ever,” said Saito in a recent interview from his wooded property outside of New York City. “I enjoy painting subjects in as natural a setting as possible, which can also be very challenging logistically.” For more than 30 years, Saito has traveled the world in his continuing search for botanical beauty.
Saito was born in Japan and has spent most of his life in the United States. He was educated at St Paul’s University in Tokyo and in 1957 received a degree in Industrial Design from New York’s Pratt Institute. Saito worked as an industrial designer for 10 years before starting his artistic career in 1971. His paintings have been exhibited in museums in Sydney, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Stockholm, Cape Town, New York and New Orleans.
Currently displaying 15 artists in various media, Zyt Gallery features contemporary two- and three-dimensional fine art and quality framing. Zyt has been in its location for more than 20 years and has a well-established, experienced senior staff.
Zyt Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; the framing department is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The gallery is located at 923 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos 94022. For more information, call 948-4363.
