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Dan
Fletcher,
Master Doll Maker
by Barbara Hilliker, NIADA Patron
Dan Fletcher, best known for engaging figures drawn from Japanese
village life, uses a variety of skills honed en route to becoming
a master doll maker. Professional Broadway dancer, washi (paper)
maker, Japanese language translator, published writer, teacher
– all allow him to breathe fresh insight and vitality into
his unique dolls.
Before any
thought of making dolls, Dan graduated from the University of
California, Irvine, with a BFA, majoring in dance. As a professional
dancer, a tour with the American Dance Machine Company of New
York City took him to Japan, introducing him to their unique people
and culture. During 1984, he taught theatrical dance in Tokyo
and was introduced to the art of making washi dolls.
In 1990,
he received a prestigious research scholarship awarded by the
Japanese government leading to an intensive two-year program to
study doll making. When his scholarship ended, Dan had collected
an amazing 31 cases of books, video tapes, and other material
that would serve as a reference to all he had experienced while
studying in Japan.
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Dan made
repeated trips to Japan, and it was during an exhibition of washi
dolls in 1987 that he met Mrs. Kyoko Nakanishi, a revered Japanese
doll artist (elected to membership in NIADA in 1998). An immediate
friendship with familial rapport developed between Dan and Mrs.
Nakanishi - a relationship critical to his development as an artist,
and for his understanding of Japanese culture. The following year,
Mrs. Nakanishi invited Dan to be part of a washi doll exhibition
at the Japan Society in New York, featuring her work.
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In
addition to the unique support of the Nakanishi family, Dan
had another Japanese sensei, Eijiro Arasawa, a master paper
craftsman. Mr. Arasawa taught Dan the techniques for making
Chirimen-gami, or creped paper that is almost cloth-like in
texture and flexibility. Mr. Arasawa was 84 years old when Dan
became his first student. Dan is now one of only two other people
in the world who practices this craft, which he will be demonstrating
at the July 2002 NIADA conference in Bethesda, MD.
Accompanying
Mrs. Nakanishi to the 1995 NIADA conference as language facilitator,
Dan had his first exposure to the broad world of art dolls.
Having worked on his dolls for years in relative isolation,
he was determined to become a part of this newfound artistic
community. Dan worked to refine his dollmaking skills, eventually
applying and becoming a member of NIADA in 1999.
With insight and considerable mastery of skill, from experiences
in Japan, dance and life, the art dolls of Dan Fletcher transport
his audience to unique pleasure.
For
more information on Dan
Fletcher
visit the Artist Member Contact page
of this web site.
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