Norman Herbert Tolman (born 12 July 1936) is an American art dealer and art collector known for his role in championing contemporary Japanese graphic art. He is best known as the founder of The Tolman Collection, a leading publisher and exhibitor of contemporary Japanese graphic art.[1][2] Tolman exhibited and befriended artists like Saitō Kiyoshi, Shinoda Toko and Mori Yoshitoshi.
During his Air Force career, he was sent to Yale University for nine months of intensive study in Chinese Language, and thereafter worked in both Taiwan and at the NSA as a language specialist.
While working in Japan in the 1960s and 70s, Tolman's love of Japanese prints saw him trade embassy work for art dealing. Founding The Tolman Collection of Tokyo alongside his wife Mary Tolman in 1972, with the purpose of introducing contemporary Japanese prints to a global audience. [2]
During the gallery's founding period, Norman and Mary Tolman contributed weekly columns to the Mainichi Shimbun. Norman's column, titled Japanophiles, explored foreign enthusiasts of Japanese culture, while Mary's Behind the Scenes, offered insights into the Japanese art world.[1] This developed into writing columns about artists like Shinoda Toko, with The Tolman Collection becoming her main dealer for over 40 years.[4]Shinoda released more than 315 numbered editions exclusively for The Tolman Collection.[5]
In the 1980s, the Tolmans relocated the gallery to a former ryotei in the Shibadaimon area of Minato-ku, where it has remained ever since.[3] On the topic of The Tolman Collection, Tolman has said: "We do things in a Japanese way with an American undertone, and I think the combination is a successful one."[6]
1996 Toko Shinoda: Visual Poetry,Singapore Art Museum, the first time a Japanese artist had been shown in that museum.
Publications
Tolman, Mary; Tolman, Norman (1982). People Who Make Japanese Prints: A Personal Glimpse. Shobunsha Publications. Includes a foreword by James Michener.
Tolman, Mary; Tolman, Norman (1982). Ouchi Makoto: Artist Warrior. Shobunsha Publications.
Tolman currently resides in Toranomon, Minato-ku, he has been living in Asia for over 60 years.[3]
Norman Tolman married Mary Spellman in 1958. They have two daughters and a grandson.[1]
Tolman has always been interested in fashion, being a friend and fan of Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Hanae Mori.
Tolman is also a vintage car enthusiast, having owned two Rolls-Royces, a Jaguar, and a convertible Bentley.
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