Conversations with Nature is an art exhibit that explores the connections of Japan and Alaska through art that is inspired by nature. Artists included in the exhibit include current UAF faculty, UAF alumni, as well as two important 20th century artists, Michio Hoshino (1952 - 1996) and Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011). Hoshino was a highly influential writer and nature photographer, whose works introduced Alaska's wonder to a broad audience in Japan. The exhibit will include several of Hoshino's photographs, borrowed from the Museum of the North's archives that are not usually on display publicly, as well as a collection of rare books written by Hoshino. Takaezu is considered by many to be one of the more important 20th  century ceramic artists, who bridged American Abstract Expressionism with East Asian aesthetics. The works on display were made when Takaezu did workshops with students at UAF in the late 1980's. 

Contemporary Artists in the exhibit include Miho Aoki, Maiko Iwahana, Ryota Kajita, Sakura Koretsune, Jill Richie and John Smelter.  Korestsune will be giving an artist talk in the Akasofu Building, Room 401, at 3pm on May 2nd, just before the art opening. She will be talking about her artwork in relation to whaling traditions and stories from around the world.