Calligraphy Art on the theme of Individual, Culture and Society Junko Yamada Calligraphy Solo Exhibition "Layers of Feelings II 10/8(Tue)-13(Sun) in Ginza, Tokyo

Studio Hart Inc. is pleased to announce its cooperation in the planning of calligraphy artist Junko Yamada's solo exhibition "Layers of Feelings II" [Dates: October 8 - October 13, 2024, Venue: Gekkoso (Ginza), Ginza, Tokyo; hereafter "the exhibition"]. During the exhibition, a live event with visitor participation will be held.

Layers of Feelings III

This exhibition will feature paintings using calligraphy techniques based on three themes.

(1) Individuals (letters and words in reflection, conflicts of the heart, and relationships and communications with others)

(2) Culture (Ainu patterns)

(3) Society (letters and words on current historical issues such as Ukraine)

Each of these works is characterized by the use of calligraphy techniques to fill the paper with letters and words used as patterns, and to create new images (forms) by layering them on top of each other.

Works using this technique are rare both in Japan and abroad, and were highly acclaimed at the "Japan-Belgium Letter Arts Exhibition" held in 2009.

The "thoughts and feelings" entrusted to letters and words are hidden between other "thoughts and feelings," forming a complex mental landscape that expresses the overlapping and conflicting thoughts of individuals, cultures, and societies. The process of making this work is also the process of imprinting the phenomenon to Yamada's own memories through letters.

As a work representing (1) the individual (letters and words of reflection, conflicts of the heart, and human relationships), "Layers of Feelings I" expresses through overlapping letters the conflicts and differences in human relationships that Yamada has faced in her daily life.

Reference work: "Layers of Feelings I," 2008, 26 cm (H) x 36 cm (W), acrylic and gouache on paper

Layers of Feelings I

(2) Culture (Ainu Patterns)" is a representative work of "Layers of Feelings II," which focuses on the theme of "culture," the connection between the individual and society. As a native of Hokkaido, it is inevitable to understand Ainu culture, so Yamada adds her own interpretation to the Ainu patterns and depicted them. This work is an attempt to understand the overlap of time and culture of history, and to layer her thoughts on it.

By using the technique of calligraphy, the layered letters form larger words and images.

Reference work: "Layers of Feelings II," 2009, 65 cm (H) x 51 cm (W), acrylic and gouache on paper

Layers of Feelings II

While (1) and (2) are connections to society that originated with Yamada herself, the works representing (3) Society (letters and words based on current affairs such as Ukraine) are works that take a bird's eye view of society and world affairs. These works were created as a process of first understanding and stopping as memories by oneself the social situations and historical events that Yamada is affected by in a large way, even if she was not directly involved in them.

The "Hop Step Jump," in which the names of all the events of a quadrennial global sporting event are crammed into letters, and the "Pray for Peace," in which the names of all Ukrainian cities are crammed into large letters, are representative examples of such works.

Reference work: "Pray for Peace," 2023, 97 cm (H) x 69 cm (W), acrylic and gouache on paper

Pray for Peace

Reference work: "HOP STEP JUMP" 2020, 60cm (H) x 44cm (W), acrylic and gouache on paper

HOP STEP JUMP

The history of calligraphy can be traced back to manuscript decoration (illumination). Yamada has mastered these techniques as well, and the act of connecting memories to the next generation through beautifully decorated letters and manuscripts overlaps with the act of creating works of art by layering letters. Yamada is also actively involved in teaching children the joy of drawing through "kitpas," paints that can be used to paint on a variety of materials, including glass.

This exhibition will feature new works created as an attempt to explore new expressions and possibilities of calligraphy as an art form.

Exhibition Outline

Junko Yamada Calligraphy Solo Exhibition "Layers of Feelings II

Dates: October 8 (Tue) - October 13 (Sun), 2024

　　　　　11:00 - 18:00 (until 14:00 on the last day)

Venue : Gekkoso Gallery 2

　　　　　8-7-18-1F Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

　　　　　Admission free

Exhibition dates: October 8 (Tue) - October 13 (Sun)

Planning cooperation: Studio Hart Inc.

Participatory live painting event during the exhibition period

Using kitpas, visitors will draw their own thoughts and feelings in letters and drawings over one another on a large screen. This live painting event presents the process of creating a single piece of artwork, in which the artist's and visitors' thoughts overlap, as a single work of art. Participation is free of charge. Anyone can participate at any time during the exhibition period.

＜About Junko Yamada＞

(Calligraphy Artist)

Junko Yamada Portrait

Junko Yamada uses calligraphy to explore the connection between the self and society, as well as memory.

She regularly conducts art workshops with children in her hometown of Hakodate, using kitpas to draw on glass.

She began studying calligraphy in earnest in 1989 and further studied calligraphy at workshops in Sonoma, Boston, Seattle, and Dallas in the United States and Sunderland in England.

Between 1999 and 2017, she had four solo exhibitions in Hakodate and one in Yamagata, Japan; between 2000 and 2024, she participated in 14 diverse group exhibitions in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Yokohama, Japan.

In 2009, she was selected for the Japan-Belgium Letter Arts Exhibition; in 2017, she was selected for the AJC Creators Collection Exhibition 2017.

Publication History:

The 1st Calligraphers' Guild Art Exhibition" Collection (1st-6th)

Collection of works from "Japan-Belgium Letter Arts Exhibition

AJC Creators' Collection Exhibition 2017" Collection

Tsukuribito No101", "Tsukuribito GOLD

My Best Pro (HTB Hokkaido TV)

https://mbp-japan.com/hokkaido/studioumi/interview/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/studio.umi

Website : https://studioumi.com/