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| "Surrender" Pop up exhibition (Sumi ink, mixed media) R. Allen-Sherwood 2012 |
The brothers of Mirfield Monastery - (where I did a month-long artist residency in 2012) , have invited me back to give talks on the world of Sumi ink, my own work and the relationship to space as part of a 'Quiet Garden Day' workshop in mid-June. I'll be joined by CR Oswin Gartside, who certainly knows a thing or two about traditional Japanese art, as he lived there for some time during his younger days.. For more details please see
here.
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| Calligrapher Sarah Moate, demonstrating a perfect Zen circle. Photo R. Allen-Sherwood |
Truthfully speaking, one day is not enough to cover the sheer variety of brush and ink styles, trends and traditions. For example, there is a great difference between the approach of
Sarah Moate, an Englishwoman who is a qualified Zen calligraphy teacher in Japan, and the working ways of award winning calligrapher-turned- -contemporary-artist
Koji Kakinuma.. Both emerged from a solid foundation of rigorous classical training, but from very different traditions.
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| Calligrapher/ Superstar Koji Kakinuma in front of his latest artwork (via Jagar 2014) |
I will be talking about some of these traditions, as well as introducing a few artists currently working with sumi ink in Japan and elsewhere. Shodo roughly translates into' "Way of the Brush". In classical Shodo, the aim is to build character and strengthen the spirit. Beautiful handwriting is the by-product of the practice not the aim.. In this way, Shodo is similar to martial art practice. "
Wax on, wax off." "Ink on. Ink off"
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| "Space" Pop up exhibition Mirfiled Monastery R Allen-Sherwood 2012 |
I greatly look forward to giving this talk. Thanks to Mirfield Maonastery and Mirfield Centre for inviting me. Hope some of my blog readers can make it too.
(PS, If you can't come you can always invite me to speak at your next function. I'm quite reasonable!! )
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