On February 15 was the opening of the “Japanese art” exhibition, where the works of the famous long-lived artist Toko Shinoda have been presented.
Want to get closer to Japanese culture? Interested in the work of veterans of art? “Has Sanat” art gallery, located at D.Kunaeva 14 street, gives a chance to introduce with the famous 104-year-old Japanese artist Toko Shinoda. Her graphic sheets and paintings are represented in many leading museums in Asia, Europe, America, decorate the house of the Emperor of Japan. A 1983 interview in Time magazine noted that “her trail-blazing accomplishments are analogous to Picasso’s”.
Credits: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/04/13/arts/104-toko-shinoda-talks-life-art/#.WpBWoTF-rIU
Toko Shinoda’s first personal exhibition was held 77 years ago in Tokyo. Moving to New York in 1956 radically has changed her view of painting. There she was amazed by the freedom and courage of American artists who were not afraid to go against the rules and try something new. “In Japan we used to copy the calligraphy of the masters, but at that time in New York artists were expected to produce something new and different”,- notes miss Shinoda. It is important to note that staying in New York from 1956-1958 gave Toko chance to get to the gallery of the most famous gallerist Betty Parsons.
Her works are performed in the technique of “sumi”, combining traditional calligraphy and abstract expressionism in her works. Painter’s bold sumi-abstractions rely on the traditional art of Japanese calligraphy, with modern sound. That is what she learned from the American artists. Such a change in direction began in New York then continued in Japan.
“The most important element is my heart, I try to express it through my body and my hands. When I take a brush in my hand, my heart searches for lines, and tries to create forms” , – that is how Toko immersed in her favorite business. She even stressed that she is literally married to her work, her paintings seem like an old friend, main part of her.
Such faithfulness to her work and level of education were the main factors that attracted Norman Tolman, a well-known art dealer. They have been worked together for 40 years. Shinoda is Tolman’s favorite artist, he respects her and believes that he become a successful art dealer thanks to her.
Norman was the initiator of the exhibition of the legendary artist of Japan in Kazakhstan. For the first time, Kazakhstanis could see Toko’s works in the “Kazarian” art center in Almaty. The «Sixty Years of Japanese Art» exhibition was open to visitors from November 5 to December 15. Inhabitants of capital would be able to visit the “Japanese art” exhibition till April 1.
Do not miss the opportunity to be inspired by the works of the only person in Japan, whose portrait is immortalized on postage stamps.
Aruzhan Kuandyk
