Strokes of visual poetry

JAPANESE calligraphy will gracefully make its mark on Ross Creek Gallery next month.

Ballarat calligraphy artist Seiko Hoashi will exhibit work at the bush art space as part of her exhibition, Prologue: Exploration in Abstraction and Japanese Calligraphy.

The show is running from Saturday 6 July, and in her artist statement, Hoashi said she is inviting people to attend to journey through the “unfolding chapters” of her exploration of creativity.

“My practice is rooted in the fusion of painterly abstraction and the disciplined strokes of Japanese calligraphy, reflecting the techniques I’ve honed over my career,” she said.

“I describe my creations as visual poetry, as they are an invitation for viewers to immerse themselves in the depths of my emotions.

“Through the intertwining of marking, writing, drawing, and painting, I seek to evoke a visceral response, drawing upon the cultural tapestry of my Australian First Nation heritage and Japanese roots.”

Hoashi said her works honour and acknowledge the history of art.

“[I draw] from improvisational and gestural brush techniques prevalent in 19th century European art and the large-scale, dynamic lines characteristic of the American abstraction movement in the 1950s,” she said.

“It is intriguing to note that these movements drew direct inspiration from Japanese art and calligraphy, and now I find myself traversing a similar path in reverse, bridging cultural and artistic boundaries with my creations.”

Prologue will run until Sunday 21 July at Ross Creek Gallery, 183 Post Office Rd, Smythes Creek. An opening event will take place Opening event will take place on 6 July, 1pm to 4pm.

The gallery is open 11am to 4pm Friday to Sunday during this exhibition and by private appointment. Contact [email protected].