Featured Artist

Nakagawa Fumiyo

中川 冨美代 · Japan

中川冨美代 / Nakagawa Fumiyo began Shodo in the first grade of elementary school. Later she studied with a personal calligraphy teacher, together with members of her family. She has continued writing for many years and has been active for almost 30 years in the context of the more avant-garde-oriented 墨人会. Her works show Shodo not only as readable writing, but as physical and image-like trace: ink moves across paper, gathers density, opens space and lets sign, gesture and inner image flow into one another. In the interview, she describes joy as the moment when a work can be written according to her inner image — even if this does not happen often. She writes because she loves writing. Today, she says, she loves it even more than when she was young. She also expresses gratitude toward the people around her and for being able to write and act freely.

Philosophy

For Nakagawa Fumiyo, joy arises when a work can be written according to her inner image — even though such moments are rare. She writes because she loves writing, and loves it even more today than in her younger years. Her practice is carried by gratitude toward the people around her and toward the freedom to write and act.

Working method

Sumi ink on paper. Free calligraphy with expressive brush traces, movement, density and emptiness. Inner image as starting point. Connection to the avant-garde Bokujinkai tradition.

Curatorial note

Nakagawa Fumiyo adds a position to SumiFox in which writing, movement and abstract image effect are closely connected. Her works show how Shodo can move from a sign into an open image space — free, physical and focused at the same time.

Memberships

• Bokujin-kai · 墨人会

  Active for almost 30 years in the context of the more avant-garde-oriented 墨人会. Her work 「光」 is documented in the context of the 119th 墨人東京展; Yokaan / 余花庵 lists 中川冨美代「光」 in the 14th 書の森展 2021.