Running from:
November 4, 203 - March 17, 2024
Located:
Exhibition Gallery at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
WHAT’S ON DISPLAY?
The public is invited to view the once private collection of Chinese Scholars’ Rocks generously donated by noted scholars’ rock collector, Kemin Hu.
This gift doubles the Museum’s viewing stone collection, making it the finest collection of documented Chinese Scholars’ stones in the United States. Hu continues a philanthropic tradition established by her father, Zhaokang Hu.
Featured in The Washingtonian
(February 2023)
The exhibit displays a large selection from the Hu gift. Sizes of the stones range from a few inches to almost 5 feet. Besides geological stones, Hu’s gift includes objects of fossil, petrified wood, coral, stalactite, root wood, and ceramics.
Adding to the excitement around this gift, the National Bonsai Foundation, the nonprofit partnering with the U.S. National Arboretum to support the Museum, has captured this collection within an immersive and stunning artbook now available for purchase.
This beautiful, in-depth book, which features the photography of Stephen Voss and elegant writings of Dr. Phillip E. Bloom, details the Chinese stones gifted by noted scholars’ rock expert Kemin Hu.
“A must-have volume for all students of Chinese stone appreciation.”
— Thomas S. Elias, Chairman of the Viewing Stone Association
What Are Chinese Scholars’ Rocks?
Chinese scholars’ rocks are stones collected in nature, some naturally occurring and others hand carved or otherwise embellished. The stones often resemble natural landscapes, animals, or evoke nature in some manner. They’ve been described by scholars’ rock expert Dr. Phillip E. Bloom as appearing to…
“...billow like clouds or dance like flames…evoke snow-capped mountains or turbulent seas, ferocious beasts or tranquil vistas.”
The Asian art of collecting, displaying, and appreciating unusual stones is ancient, dating back at least two thousand years. Stone appreciation practice originated in China and spread to Korea and Japan. Much later, the practice was adopted by other countries throughout the world.
These stones have an enormous “wow” factor for people viewing them for the first time. Accompanied by quality interpretative materials, thousands of visitors will begin to understand what these stones represent as well as their importance. With this gift, the U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum becomes an even greater treasure in the Washington, DC, area.