Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin

Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin (born 1947), noted shakuhachi player. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Seldin and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin playing Japanese Traditional Music on the shakuhachi in the Sackler Galleries for Asian Art at the Metropolitan Museum."

Seldin studied theology at the New School for Social Research, then went to Japan where he studied the shakuhachi, receiving the name Nyogetsu in 1975. By 2001 he received his Grand Master's license at the level of Kyu-Dan and was given the name Reishin. ("Heart/Mind of the Bell") He performed on the soundtrack for "A Family Gathering" (1989) and also appears on the Grammy Award-nominated "The Planet Sleeps." He is of the Tenrikyo faith and lives with his wife Brenda in New York City. His wife is a practicing Chan Buddhist. He is the founder and director of the Ki-Sui-An Shakuhachi Dojo and teaches shakuhachi regularly in New York City, Philadelphia, Syracuse, and Boston, and leads regular intensive shakuhachi retreats at Zen monasteries in upstate New York.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.