Catherine Halff Edson, 71, built one of the finest private collections of Japanese art in America
Hoodoo
By Elaine Ayala - Express-News
07/06/2010 12:00 CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/obituaries/Edson_71_collected_Japanese_art_97818404.html
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Catherine Halff Edson: She gave generously to medical research.
Catherine Halff Edson was a quiet patron of the arts, a benefactor of
medical research and a respected collector of Japanese art. She lived a
low-profile life in San Antonio, but her knowledge of the genre was
recognized way beyond.
When she died Friday, a portion of her collection was on exhibit in
Japan. The two-time cancer survivor was 71.
“She methodically built one of the finest private collections of
Japanese art in America,” said John Johnston, curator of Asian art at
the San Antonio Museum of Art.
Edson, whose father, Hugh A.L. Halff, owned and operated WOAI Radio and
WOAI-TV, grew up in San Antonio, graduating from Saint Mary's Hall in
1956. She attended Vassar College and the University of Texas at Austin.
Though she didn't travel to Japan until after she began collecting 30
years ago, her interest might have been influenced by her mother,
Catherine Luhn, who collected Japanese porcelain.
“Japanese lacquer is subtle and quiet and suited (Edson's) personality
perfectly,” said sister-in-law Marie Halff.
A part of the Catherine and Thomas Edson Collection can be seen at SAMA.
Another portion, “Edo Chic/Meiji Technique: The Art of Shibata Zeshin
featuring the Edson Collection,” is on exhibit at the Suiboku Museum in
Toyama until Aug. 22.
Zeshin was considered among the greatest lacquer artists and was Edson's
favorite. “She also collected other lacquer artists, and her collection
included painting, ceramics, enamel and metal work,” Johnston said.
“She really enjoyed her collection and knew the subject very intimately
and loved sharing stories about buying them and about the artists who
created the objects,” Johnston said.
Carol Karotkin, a longtime friend, said Edson contributed generously to
arts and medical research. The Halff Foundation, which she and her
brother oversaw, gave to a multitude of local charities.
Edson was on the boards of the Cancer Therapy & Research Center and the
Cancer Center Council.
Though described as reserved, “there was this other side to her,”
Karotkin said. “She was a major Spurs fan. When she had the first bout
with cancer, her goal was to see David Robinson walk on the court for
the first time.”
“I would never sit with her because she screamed so hard,” she said.
Edson's mother was a founder of Planned Parenthood in San Antonio and
the Charity Ball Association. Her father inherited WOAI from his uncle,
Godcheaux A.C. Halff. He was the son of Solomon Halff, a pioneering
Texas businessman who, according to the Handbook of Texas, was a founder
of Temple Beth El.
Catherine Halff Edson
BORN: Oct. 15, 1938, in San Antonio
DIED: July 2, 2010, in San Antonio
SURVIVORS: Her husband, Tom Edson; a brother, Hugh Halff and his wife,
Marie; a niece, Stephanie Street and her husband, Jerry; a nephew, Hugh
Halff III and his wife, Dee; and two grandnieces, Catherine and Ashley
Street.
SERVICE: 2 p.m. Thursday at Porter Loring Chapel at 1101 McCullough.
On the Web
* Catherine Halff Edson
* Japan Society exhibition
* Minneapolis Institute of Art
* WOAI history
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KFJC.org, WFMU.org, WMSE.org, or WUSB.org;
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