I am a certified Docent at The National Museum Of Asian Art at the Smithsonian Institute, I volunteer and give tours on various subjects, for last seventeen years. Occasionally I do give custom tours for a group of 6-15 participants . Please take a look at my available Tours below. If you would like to sign up, you can choose from the available options. Below the calendar is a list of descriptions of the types of Tours.
Katsushika Hokusai
Katsushika Hokusai: An 18th century genius artist, who in the span of his lifetime created more than 30,000 pieces of art. He is considered as the father of modern Japanese Art. He is father of the Art of Manga. The Japanese government has Hokusai awarded at the highest esteem. I will share with you his different works , and his technique as well as his genius.
Art Across the Buddhism and the Art of Mandalas
This tour explains how the Buddhism Spread , and how it evolved , adapting certain beliefs and making it a part of Buddhism in that region. A journey through different parts of the Buddhist world and its Art. The meaning of Mandala and what it is today.
Art Across Cultures
I give an introduction to the different treasures of Art from The National Asian Art Museum, The Himalayan Art Gallery, The Middle Eastern Islamic Gallery, The Chinese Brushworks , Bronze, Ceramics, and Jade, The Korean Ceramics & Goreyo paintings, The Japanese Rimpa works and Screens. I end it with the introduction to the American Masters of the Movement on Art for Art Sake.
The Art Of Islamic World
In this tour I introduce the Art Of Islam, and what it is that makes it Islamic. I cover the Art of Illumination. The tessellating nature of pattern-in Islamic works. Textile, Architecture, Metalworks, & Ceramics.
My Iran
This is an introduction to Six female photographers from Iran, and their perception of what it means to be Iranian. It is a theme put together by this very distinctively different style of Women Photographers, the effects of War and revolution on the citizens and what it does to the people emotionally, physically, and socially.
The Art Of The Silk Roads
I cover the Art Of The Sogdians and the Ancient World Of Silk Roads, starting from the Ancient land of Anatolia to China, and the lands in between, covering a huge span of treacherous land ,with hostile climates and terrain . Inspite of all the difficulties one faced , it was a huge trade route . A great exchange of ideas ,religions, arts, and culture .The Sogdians were the merchants who were prolific in their understanding of different cultures, and were versatile in many languages .That made their caravans respectably safer , as the indigenous people of these lands profited from the Sogdians ,they were given safe passage. This route was the most influential source of imports and exports, not just silk, it also was responsible for introducing or rather trading horses, spice, wheat, music, religion Etc.
James McNeill Whistler And The American Artists
This tour consists of an introduction to James McNeill Whistler, his creative journey , his early Etchings and his Nocturnals and his watercolors, along with him I will introduce his compatriots who all worked in this movement of Art for Art Sake, this group of Artists were : Thomas Wilmer Dewing , Dwight William Tryon , Abbott Thayer Anderson , and John Singer Sargent .
Eat And Celebrate:
The Arts around the world, that are created for celebration and merry making , libation etc. The common traditions in all cultures to celebrate any festive occasion with food , its preparation and means of serving or storing or displaying . it is interesting to see , how food is important in all cultures. we look at different types of vessels and art objects ,and how detailed some of works are .
Fashioning An Empire
This exhibition is about how fashion saved an empire. Through the sheer ingenuity of Shah Abbas ll( Safavid period), Persia changed it’s economical , cultural and political position in the world and became a successful country. Persia’s shift in global economic status can be attributed to fashion ,trade, city planning and marketing.
The Splendid land
This exhibition is from The City Palace Museum-of Udaipur, Rajasthan & The National Asian Art Museum Smithsonian Institute. The curators of this exhibition have successfully presented the mood and emotions conveyed in this huge collection of large royal paintings, spanning a period of three centuries , and evoking one’s senses of sound and sight to successfully transform one’s mood with help of Ragas of Indian music. It is an amazing compilation of art works which transport the viewer to 16th to 19th century Rajasthan. The artists of this empire successfully convey the architecture of the region and at places you can read a painting like a picture book . The artists convey the activities taking place from morning to night . The idea of change of time is very cleverly depicted.
