Meher McArthur

Meher McArthur is an independent Asian art historian and is Academic Curator at Scripps College, Claremont. Previously she was Curator of East Asian Art at Pacific Asia Museum (now USC PAM) and now curates exhibitions for Southern California galleries, En Gallery at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena, and for the traveling exhibition company International Arts & Artists (IA&A), including Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami (2015-2019) and her upcoming exhibition, Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper (from 2021). She is developing YOKAI: Spirits, Specters and the Supernatural in Japanese Woodblock Prints for Scripps College (2022).

Meher writes regularly for Buddhistdoor.net and contributes to KCET Artbound, Artillery and Orientations magazines. Her major publications include Gods and Goblins: Folk Paintings from Otsu (PAM, 1999), Reading Buddhist Art (Thames & Hudson, 2002) and The Arts of Asia (Thames & Hudson, 2005), Confucius (Pegasus Books, 2011), Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (IA&A, 2012), New Expressions in Origami Art (Tuttle, 2017), and An ABC of What Art Can Be (The Getty Museum, 2010).

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"Trumpet Flower #120" by Kaoru Mansour, 2015; Mixed media on canvas; 42 x 72 inches. | Image: Courtesy of the artist and Heather James Gallery.

Kaoru Mansour: Offerings of Nature, Art and Spirit

The ornate collage paintings of Kaoru Mansour depict trees laden with fruit and birds perched on branches.

Flawless Fluidity in the Works of Joanne Julian

For over 30 years, Joanne Julian has been a master of both meticulously detailed drawings and spontaneous calligraphic brushwork, and has created her own trademark mixed media works that blend the two.

Souun Takeda applying ink to paper; Photo by Edward Hames; Courtesy of the artist and the Porch Gallery Ojai

Strokes of Genius and Gratitude: The Calligraphy of Souun Takeda

Souun Takeda's calligraphy has a uniquely intense emotion that energizes his work; his eager strokes laden with ink often drip down the fragile, washi paper.

The Dry Landscapes of Zen Temples Meet California's Drought

The Japanese dry landscape tradition goes back over a thousand years. Though not originally designed in Japan to save water, drought-friendly gardens may have a role to play in helping to meet the long-term needs of California's increasingly dry state.

Farzad Kohan: Layering Life and Love in Paintings

Farzad Kohan's mixed media paintings reflect the complex identity of the immigrant.

Calming Currents: The Ceramic and Video Art of Mineo Mizuno

Japanese sculptor and filmmaker Mineo Mizuno reflects the various qualities and functions of water in his work.

Armenian-American Artists Reflect the Diaspora Experience

Zareh is among 27 Armenian artists featured in the Glendale exhibition "life100." Featured works explore the impact of the Armenian diaspora and artists' connection to their culture.

The Visible Light Paintings of Fawn Rogers

Artist Fawn Rogers' "Visible Light" series aims to bring awareness to the disenfranchisement of the elderly population in the U.S.

Dave Lefner carving details out of design on linoleum; Photograph by Prakash Shroff | Courtesy of the artist

The Optimistic Edge: The Reduction Linocuts of Dave Lefner

Dave Lefner's linocuts are iconic representations of the great energy and optimism associated with the nation's golden age of traveling and exploration.

Preserving Cultures: The Getty's Global Conservation Work

The Getty undertakes a wide range of conservation projects around the world at important historic and cultural sites, helping to preserve the artistic heritage of diverse cultures.