2015 Finlandia Rhapsody

Nature in Finland has conflicting characters; sometimes it is calm and tranquil and at other times bitter  and violent. The crisp, clean air has the ability to cleanse both the body and soul. But whatever character the natural world shows, it is always attractive and fascinating. I have been attached to it since my first visit here in 2012.

My subject in art works has always been ‘Nature and Movement’ and this is why Finnish Nature attract me so dearly. I would like to explore lots of different faces of Finnish Nature, and would like to introduce it to you with Japanese twists.

In this exhibition I have employed many different techniques and means of presentation, and have tried to combine my Japanese origins with the Western influences on my work. I would like to explain by a few examples below.

In terms of technique, I have used a printing method called ‘lithography on plywood’, which was invented in Japan. It is based on traditional lithography techniques but with important differences. Because of the nature of plywood, it can hold water-based ink as well as oil-based ink so that both can be printed at the same time. Plywood also has a natural grain in the wood, which is revealed in the printed image. Plywood can also be carved with tools just like a woodblock printing. This innovative technique is a true marriage between Western and Japanese art methods.

In terms of the presentation, I have used a hanging scroll format on some of my works. Hanging scrolls are the traditional way of presenting paintings in Japan, and there is a specific way to place art works on scrolls. I have applied my own interpretation to this method and made the scrolls themselves a part of the whole work.

The exhibition pieces are approached in many different ways to express Finnish Nature and each wall presents different faces of it accompanied by young British Composer, Nicholas Sabisky, who's music is commissioned especially for this exhibition. The art works are carefully placed to help your journey through the forest, and inspire the physical sensations of nature. Although all the art works are two dimensional, I would like viewers to feel the wind, light, shadows, smells, and sounds of nature - and the ultimate aim of the show is to help viewers feel as if they are in Finnish woods.