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JapanArt NZ Inc, a Warkworth-based not-for-profit organisation, will present the free exhibition Perspective at the Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa from September 30 to October 26, featuring the work of Japanese artist Kana Inami.
Inami will travel from Japan to present her work and answer questions from visitors on Friday, October 2, at 6pm.
She will also host three two-hour workshops, titled Make a Mizuhiki wreath with Kana Inami: two on Saturday, October 3, from 9.30am to 11.30am and 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and one on Sunday, October 4, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
The contemporary artist specialises in mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese craft made by twisting and hardening washi paper into a cord-like form.
Mizuhiki is commonly used for ceremonial gift envelopes and New Year decorations.
Inami reinterprets the traditional craft by transforming it into wearable accessories, ornaments and large-scale installations, giving the tradition a contemporary expression.
She regularly holds workshops for both Japanese and international participants and has also been invited to showcase her work overseas.
JapanArt NZ Inc president Kumiko Imai-Duxfield said the exhibition will be held during Mental Health Awareness Week and aims to invite visitors to experience a shift in perspective about their daily lives.
“Since I moved to Mahurangi in 2015, I realised that this area is very rich in artists, and that there were many art-related events and programmes that we could enjoy,” Kumiko said. “We met Japanese residents who missed their culture and who asked me when I was going to start organising something for the community.”
Kumiko said over the past few years, she has helped artists who wanted to apply for artist residency programmes but did not know how to go about it and her next goal is to help New Zealand artists travel to Japan and take part in similar opportunities.
“I know that art is a wonderful therapeutic tool for people who have difficulty expressing their trauma verbally. Especially for children, people with dementia and foreigners, art can be an effective way to express their feelings.”
“I met Kana in Japan by chance several years ago, and she was very keen to come to New Zealand to showcase her work. I worked to secure funding from the Japanese Government and the local council to bring her here for the Taste of Japan Festival. Fortunately, we now have a new opportunity.”
Tickets for the October 2 event cost $45 for the general public and $40 for Estuary Arts Centre and JapanArt NZ members and are available atEstuary Arts website.
Tickets for the workshops cost $55 and are available atEstuary Arts website.
Part of the funds raised from the event will go directly to the Estuary Arts Centre.
