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| "Pine Tree Island" Ink and wash 2012 |
In the art of Japanese calligraphy or Shodo, blank space (on paper or canvas) is seen in a positive light, not in the negative or angst inducing way some artists would have you think. Blank paper is a white area packed with unfulfilled potential, waiting for the calligrapher's brush mark to bring it to life. Literally.
One of my favourite descriptions of this, can be found in the book "Japanese Calligraphy The Art of Line & Space", Author and calligraphy teacher Christine Flint-Sato writes:
The black line passes through white as a boat through water, the wake created by its passing is felt through the white. The white is not a passive space or vacuum to be entered and which is unaffected by the line, it is energised or activated by it. (pg 58)
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| "Floating " Ink on paper 2013 |
Viewed in this manner, it is easy to understand the important role space & motion play in the art of brush and ink. Space and line mutually support each other within the composition of the work but it is the energy motion of the line which brings it all together.
* Thank you
Cat Stevens
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