Updated 2/8/23 to reflect the book’s current availability.
Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars’ Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum
ready for order now
The National Bonsai Foundation is excited to announce the release of the book, Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars’ Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum.
Curated by Kathleen Emerson-Dell with stunning photography by Stephen Voss and elegant writings by Dr. Phillip E. Bloom, the new coffee table-size art book perfectly captures the recent gift of 112 Chinese stones to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum from noted scholars’ rock expert, Kemin Hu.
Scholar rocks are stones collected in nature, some naturally occurring and some embellished. The stones often resemble natural landscapes and animals, or evoke nature in some manner.
Since 2001, Kemin Hu has contributed to the collection of scholar rocks at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. Hu’s recent gift virtually doubled the size of the Museum's stone collection, and the Museum now touts more than 250 stones in its exceptional collection! Sizes of the stones range from a few inches to more than 9 feet.
“These incredible works of nature, as shown in this book, reminds us of the beauty of the world around us. This book showcases the collaboration between humans and nature to produce breathtaking art and is certainly worthy of a place in everyone’s home.”
ultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars’ Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum is currently available for order here. The book costs $50.
“The Hu Chinese scholars’ rock donation elevates our collection and efforts at fostering an appreciation of stone viewing among a wider and international audience. Curated by our staff, this new book allows readers to take the collection home with them to contemplate the details and beauty of these stones.”
A selection of Hu’s gift will be on view in the Museum through the end of 2022, while a rotating selection will be available for public viewing through 2023.