Posted on August 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM by Betsy Grabinski
This past week University
Museums' changed the eight Chinese scrolls exhibited in the historic Periodical Reading Room at Parks Library. The scrolls are part of the Topel and Cheng Art Collection and the permanent collection. They are switched out annually due to their fragility and light sensitivity.
Many of the scrolls in the collection were gifted to University Museums by Drs. David Topel and Jay-Lin Jane-Topel as part of a larger gift of their collection of Chinese decorative and fine arts. Their gift included works of art from Dr. Jay-lin Jane Topel's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tung-Hsiang and Chih-Fei Cheng, which together created the Topel and Cheng Art Collection in 2014. The collection includes Chinese jades, hard stones, wood carvings and hanging scrolls and is on continuous viewing in the Periodical Reading Room of Parks Library.
"The Periodical Reading Room was selected because it was an important historic and cultural space within Parks Library that is easily accessible by the public and used by many students," said Adrienne Gennett, associate curator. "Both families were interested in student education and finding a space that would enhance their global understanding and awareness through the appreciation and understanding of art from different cultures."
Above Right: Randy Fiscus from Facilities, Planning and Management (FP&M) and UM Associate Curator Adrienne Gennett switch out Chinese scrolls that were gifted by Drs. David Topel and Jay-Lin Jane Topel. They are switched out annually due to their fragility and light sensitivity.
Above: The Topel and Cheng Art Collection is located in the Periodical Reading Room at Parks Library.