[inline:cropped_Buddhas for a New World.jpg]
"I BOW TO YOU"
2007 Traveling Exhibition of Buddhist Sculptures by Thomas Matsuda

LOS ANGELES ZEN CENTER July 6-11, 2007
923 South Normandie Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006
July 6 Friday 10:00AM-6;00PM Exhibit
6:00-8:00PM Opening reception with light refreshments
July 7 Saturday 10AM-12PM Slide presentation of contemporary work
1:30-4:30PM 'Creating Jizos in Clay' workshop in self-hardening clay
Workshop fee (includes the cost of the materials): $25 for workshop, plus $10
materials fee for clay. Children free. Please register with programsteward@zcla.org or 213.387.2353.
July 8 Sunday 10AM-12PM Buddhist sculpture carving demonstration and talk

WEST LOS ANGELES BUDDHIST TEMPLE July 13-17, 2007
2033 Corinth Ave. West Los Angeles, CA 90025
July 13 Friday 10:00 AM-4:00PM Exhibit
6-8:00PM Opening reception with light refreshments
July 14 Saturday 11:00AM-Noon Slide presentation of contemporary work
1-4:30PM 'Creating Jizos in Clay' workshop in self-hardening clay; $5 materials fee
July 15 Sunday 9:30-10:30AM Service
10:30AM-4:00PM Buddhist sculpture carving demonstration and exhibition
July 16 Monday 10:00 AM-4:00PM Exhibit
July 17 Tuesday 10:00 AM-4:00PM Exhibit

Participating temples and galleries are pleased to announce "I Bow to You", 2007 Traveling Exhibition of Buddhist Sculptures by Thomas Matsuda. The exhibit will feature the recent Buddhist sculptures of Thomas Matsuda. Receiving his basic training in the arts at Pratt Institute, where he now teaches, his aesthetic sensitivity has been shaped by American artistic beliefs and attitudes. But he has lived in Japan for twelve years as an adult, first studying under the renowned sculptor, Koukei Eri of Kyoto, who specializes in Buddha images, later spending most of his time in remote mountain villages in the tradition of Enku and Mokujiki, both well known sculptors who carved Buddha figures for the populace. Also, having worked closely with Native American spirituality, he identifies with their respect for mother earth and all living beings equally.  

While this rich background comes together in various, positive ways, Matsuda is also his own person and brings his own vision to his works. His Buddhas and bodhisattvas are neither Japanese nor American; rather, they are creations of an artist who brings something new and universal to our fragmented world. They reflect what his teacher Eri said of old sculptures that contain “a mysterious strength that has the power to penetrate our spirits.” Among people who saw his works displayed at the Hillyer Gallery at Smith College in October 1998, one praised his sculptures, saying that “There is stillness and transcendence conveyed through these forms. They draw me into the flow of shapes, form and meaning.” Tom Matsuda is quickly becoming one of the foremost Buddhist sculptors in North America.

Full Schedule: July 7th - August 12, 2007
July 6-11 Los Angeles Zen Center
July 13-17 West LA Buddhist Temple
July 20-22 Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
July 24-31 Dentoh Gallery
August 2-5 San Francisco Zen Center
August 8-9 Dharma Rain, Portland, OR
August 10-12 Great Vow Monastery, Clatskanie, OR

For more information contact:
West Los Angeles Zen Center: (213) 387-2351 info@zcla.org www.zcla.org
West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple: (310) 477-7274 westlabt@verizon.net
www.westlabt.org