PAST EXHIBITION: THE PETS YOU LOVE – AN ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION
So Fujii 【1st – 6th February】“I drew someone’s pets in this exhibition because I wanted to share feelings through my illustrations. People who keep pets have various emotions, like happiness, joy, sometimes frustration, and sadness towards their pets. But this is just what it means to love your pets. So I started to collect images of pets on social networking sites. The pictures the owners took are great and helpful for my drawings. When they see my illustrations, I’m happy that they can look back on their memories and feel their love once more.” So Fujii Illustrator, born in Toyama, Japan. Living in London since 2016. He has created many … Read More
PAST EXHIBITION: SERENE, THE WORLD OF YUZEN
Svetlana Wheeler 【11th – 25th January】 The reception: 11th January, 18:00-20:00 Book your ticket here: goo.gl/CmHQUD Yuzen is the Japanese traditional craft of silk dye-resist painting. It was originally used to decorate kimono and obi (sash) and has been practised for centuries. Typically, artists draw mainly on natural and seasonal iconography for inspiration, using the elements too, in combinations that often comprise water and skies, flowers and leaves. In this exhibition, Svetlana unifies insistent themes of nature and peace. At times, it is direct and explicit, such as Koi resting languidly in a pond, beneath an autumnal tree. In others, perhaps less so, such as the cooling air of a … Read More
PAST EXHIBITION: SASHIKO REFLECTION
Jakob Kaye 【17th November – 22nd December 2017】 Sashiko meaning ‘little stab’ is a traditional stitching technique originating from Northern Japan. The practise evolved as a domestic rural craft during the Edo era in a time of peace. Using un-dyed thread on dark indigo cloth, the patterns often represent Buddhist motifs and ‘protection symbols’ whilst also having the functional task of strengthening clothes. Jakob Kaye is a light artist based in Scotland using various hand etching methods on mirrors to depict his chosen subject matter for each series. Often drawn towards natural geometry and cultural history as themes, Jakob is applying the fine hand-skill and focus required for the needlework … Read More
PAST EXHIBITION: JAPAN IN WINTER
Tiger Tanuki – Malene Wagner【9th – 14th November 2017】 Reception: Thursday 9th November, 18:00 – 20:00 The exhibition explores winterscapes by a range of renowned print artists, including shin hanga artist Tsuchiya Koitsu and Saito Kiyoshi of the sosaku hanga movement. This is a unique opportunity to immerse in nostalgic snowscapes and humoristic winter scenes from the 1930s up to the 21st century. It will run until November 14 only so stop by before the snow melts! The exhibition is sponsored by Ukiyo Republic who will create special winter-themed drinks for the opening night❄️🍸
PAST EVENT: Japan in Winter – Comforting consumption of Japanese art & Sake
Tiger Tanuki & Ukiyo Republic 【11th November 2017】 We all need something to warm up our body and soul in this transitional time of the year, don’t we? That is why we prepared the Japanese ART & SAKE event to satisfy you physically and mentally! It is nice to have drinks in broad daylight and see art programs on TV during weekend, but why don’t you do that with us at Sway Gallery, especially because we have invited specialists from various fields of Japanese culture, whose knowledge and stories will reveal to us the real picture of Japanese life style in sacred winter time. Being surrounded by Japanese prints and … Read More
PAST EXHIBITION: THE BEAUTY OF INEFFICIENCY – KANA ART –
Kaoru Akagawa 【5th October – 8th November 2017】 Reception: Thursday 5th October, 18:00 – 20:00 As Charles Chaplin has depicted in his film, anything inefficient was banned in ‘Modern Times’. Such was the fate of Kana, phonetic scripts unique to Japan, which were abandoned and forgotten despite their legacy of a thousand years. Kana, representative of a leisurely and creative pursuit, are no longer used in day-to-day life in contemporary Japan due to their complexity and the difficulty of passing down and acquiring the necessary skills. By using Kana in her contemporary work, Akagawa attempts to build a bridge beyond time and space. Her works are time consuming, but she … Read More