Join us on Thursday, March 6th for the first Free First Thursday of 2025 featuring the exhibit opening reception of 'SHU 朱 - Scarlet' by Olympia based calligrapher Chiyo Sanada.
Statement from the Artist:
My passion for Japanese calligraphy (shodo) has never changed. I enjoy sharing my love of Shodo, and I have always passionately explored new techniques and styles, blending elements of tradition with contemporary ones, since I moved to America 25 years ago. Because of Shodo, I could adapt to my new life in America; it was my magic tool to connect people. America's diverse culture, creativity, and expression have influenced my work significantly. My mission is to use shodo to connect people across cultures.
I grew up in Hiroshima and started taking shodo lessons at age seven from a kind-hearted neighborhood teacher. My mother told me to take this after-school activity because good penmanship is necessary. I was drawn to calligraphy and kept learning it. I enjoyed creating art for my family, especially my grandma (Obachan). At 17, I started thinking about my future and decided to become a teacher to share the joy of shodo with people worldwide.
Japanese calligraphy is an art form that goes beyond words. The characters' strength, delicacy, and beauty are deeply intertwined with the profound philosophy of Japanese culture. My work attempts to capture the emotions and thoughts that arise within me and bring them to life on the surface. The moment I hold the brush, my heart is calm, and when the ink touches the surface, each stroke is imbued with a sense of vitality and energy. The flow of nature and energy guides my hand through calligraphy. "Ichi-go ichi-e is a Japanese idiom that describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. It teaches us to cherish each encounter, for it will never occur again in the same way. I cannot create a piece of calligraphy in the same precise way. I practice pages and pages, but I will know the one when my mind, brush, ink, and paper match perfectly.
