JET Programme Series: Artsy! - Anastazia Hamilton

As I rode the Ryomo train line from Maebashi City back to my city, Kiryu, Gunma, the sun was preparing to set with its warm light touching me. A welcomed feeling in the middle of the winter. I watched the hills under the sun that seemed to be like layers of grey that go on for miles. I sat and realized that I loved this prefecture. Maybe the artist and introvert in me found Gunma to be peaceful and reflective.
 

I came here to teach English, but I found that I am also being taught new things. I came expecting that I may learn a bit of calligraphy or maybe even origami, however, I am now learning Japanese water colour and paper cutting art (kiri-e). An art teacher at a church I go to chose me to give her knowledge of these skills. She stirred up a fresh interest Japanese painting and art.
 

Some people love being in Tokyo. I can’t say I love it for everyday living but an occasional visit is fine. The pace is too fast for me and there are too many people. I could not even say if there is a place in Tokyo I'd “like” to visit, but during Christmas, I left my quiet city in Gunma and visited a place called Ginza. I liked it. The town is pretty artsy and had this cool bookstore that primarily carried books from varying creative fields. Off course, I had to purchase some. The middle of the store had an exhibition by a sculptor from Hokkaido named Kunihiko Nohara. Actually, while I was there, he was carving a piece out of a block of wood. (sorry I did not get any pictures of him)
 

During the New Years break, I had the opportunity along with some other Trinibagonian ALTs to visit a digital art museum in Odaiba as well as two shows featured at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi. I was inspired by the works of manga duet Fujiko Fujio that was on display at Mori Art Museum. I was even able to see kiri-e artwork that was inspired by their style and characters. The second show at Mori Art Museum was entitled “Catastrophe and the Power of Art” and it featured works of varying creative disciplines from artists from all over the world. The artwork was moving and impactful and made you consider how human beings arise out of tragedy. The piece that had the greatest impression on me was the final one in the exhibition. It was an installation Yoko Ono called "Add Colour Painting (Refugee Boat)". Visitors were allowed to walk in the installation space which had a single boat and walls marked with blue words. We were asked to write a message for the future. I chose to write a message of hope.
 

It was a refreshing few days in Tokyo. After leaving the busy prefecture, I went back to my quiet Gunma to continue creating my own work inspired by experiences here in Japan. I am looking forward to seeing more and learning more about Japanese art during my stay here.


JET Series: Artsy! (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)


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