Wa no Contemporary Vision 
Contemporary = living or occurring at the same time.
belonging to or occurring in the present. 
 
We, Wa no Contemporary  (和のコンテンポラリー),  intend topresent to the world the spirit of Wa, the symbol of tradition and our identity as Japanese with contemporary perspectives through art,which we would like to share with our contemporaries and the world we live in now through art.
 
Should the artists’ expressions and techniques vary,our primary objective is the creation of pure feelings of impression and emotion, which can only be achieved on the basis of precise drawing skills and concrete techniques of every artist.
 
A new value is created when strength of individual artists is put together,in harmony with each other. That is to create a society filled with inspiration,where people share their sorrow and joy.
 
 
The role of art is to connect ‘now’ with the ‘future generations’ in the society where everyone rejoices together. Although most of the core members of Wa no Contemporary are from Kagawa, we have devoted ourselves to organize exhibitions worldwide as well as art classes, workshops for children, visiting lectures and various cultural events, with the international artists who we have met through our activities in and out of Japan.  
 
Creating dialogues between different arts and cultures of the rest of the world, we humbly continue to make our endeavour to contribute to further and ceaseless development of art and culture of our hometown Kagawa.
 
 
Nobuko Hamano, Representative
 
 
Activities
 
Exhibitions
Art Studio
Art Programme for Kids and Families
Next Generation Artist Development Programme
 
Next Generation Artist Development Programme
 
We support young talents (mainly students) from Japan and abroad who have participated a Wa no Contemporary exhibition by organising a solo or group exhibition. This programme that aims at nurturing and supporting young artists who will in the future be active in international art scenes has an academic significance. Furthermore, by having the next generation of artists with different cultural backgrounds work together and present their works next to each other, we aim to stimulate their creative attitudes.
 
For the coming group exhibition, three students from Japan and abroad have been selected from those who exhibited at the 7th Wa on Contemporary 2022. In addition, a printmaking workshop and a lecture will be held on this occasion.

 

We look forward to your continued support and support for the activities of the next generation of artists.

Karolina
LEFEK

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Face of Speciesism
 
My focus is mainly on the issue of specism, which puts the interest of his own species based on the belief in the superiority of the human species. I aim to draw attention to how prejudices and any species discrimination of people result in endless harm and drama of defenseless animals taking place before our eyes.
 
    Artist File

Karolina

 
LEFEK

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Face of Speciesism
 
My focus is mainly on the issue of specism, which puts the interest of his own species based on the belief in the superiority of the human species. I aim to draw attention to how prejudices and any species discrimination of people result in endless harm and drama of defenseless animals taking place before our eyes.
 
    Artist File

 MITANI  Ayano

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beautiful Light at an Abrupt Moment
 
Although it is never the same, the vast sky has timeless beauty. It has always been there with people. I am fascinated by the unchanging nature in the midst of changes, especially the light that changes in an instant. Colours and atmosphere are created by light being refracted, transmitted, and interrupted. My work depicts their complexity and diversity, and how they are harmonized. I believe that this is necessary in our time when diversity is valued.
 

MITANI
 
 
Ayano

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beautiful Light at an Abrupt Moment
 
Although it is never the same, the vast sky has timeless beauty. It has always been there with people. I am fascinated by the unchanging nature in the midst of changes, especially the light that changes in an instant. Colours and atmosphere are created by light being refracted, transmitted, and interrupted. My work depicts their complexity and diversity, and how they are harmonized. I believe that this is necessary in our time when diversity is valued.
 
 

Momoko KUDO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Self to See, Self to be Seen
 
I try to create work that communicates the movements, gazes, and consciousness of the birds I see in my everyday life. When I look at the creatures with interest, they look back at me out of their own survival instincts. This feeling makes me realise that the relationship between seeing and being seen is rather ambiguous, and that the position of subject of observation and its object can easily be replaced depending on their mindset. I can actually be being watched while I am supposed to be watching the object one-sidedly. I would like to express in my work the ambiguity and uncertainty.
 

Momoko
 
 
KUDO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Self to See, Self to be Seen
 
I try to create work that communicates the movements, gazes, and consciousness of the birds I see in my everyday life. When I look at the creatures with interest, they look back at me out of their own survival instincts. This feeling makes me realise that the relationship between seeing and being seen is rather ambiguous, and that the position of subject of observation and its object can easily be replaced depending on their mindset. I can actually be being watched while I am supposed to be watching the object one-sidedly. I would like to express in my work the ambiguity and uncertainty.
 

PROGRAMME

EXHIBITION

Exhibition of Three Next Generation Artists
 
Sat. 19 – Sat. 26 Aug. 2023
10:00am - 5:00pm(Japanese time)
White Cube Takamatsu Tsukumo Gallery (Takamatsu, Kagawa)
 

 
Karolina LEFEK
(Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice/ Poland)
 
KUDO Momoko
(3rd year, Concentration in Oil Painting and Printmaking, Department of Fine Art, Joshibi University of Art and Design)
 
MITANI Ayano
(3rd year, Oil Painting Course, Department of Painting, Tama Art University)
 
Further Detail

WORKSHOP

Polish Woodcut Print Workshop
 
Fri. 18 Aug. 2023
1:00pm - 4:00pm(Japanese time)
Painting Room, Kagawa Junior College



 
Led by Karolina LEFEK
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice, where Karolina Lefek studies, is internationally acclaimed for its active production of prints. Woodcut technique has a long history in Japan and has had a global impact. Inviting the next generation artist specializing in woodcut print as its instructor, participants will produce prints while feeling the differences between Japan and Polish culture and art. The purpose of the workshop is to offer participants opportunity to experience verbal and non-verbal communication, and to find not only the uniqueness of each other's cultures but also our commonalities.
 
Number of participants: 30 people, mainly university and high school students in Kagawa
Participation fee: Adults 2,000 yen / High school and university students 1,000 yen
 
Application Form
 

LECTURE(On-line)

The Development and Current Trend of World-Renowned Graphic Art in Poland and the Country’s Exchange with Japan.
 
Sun. 20 Aug. 2023
10:30am - 12:00am (Polish time)
POLAND⇄JAPAN
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice and Kagawa Junior College (on-line)
 

Speakers:
Artur MASTERNAK, PhD. 
(Associate Professor, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice)
Sybilla SKALUBA PhD.
(Lecturer, Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice)
 
Facilitator:  HAMANO Nobuko
(Director, Wa no Contemporary/ Professor, Kagawa Junior College/ Visiting Fellow, University of Northumbria at Newcastle upon Tyne)
 
Application Form

REPORT

EXHIBITION

 
内閣官房副長官 磯﨑 仁彦 先生  Mr ISOZAKI Yoshihiko, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary
衆議院議員 大野 敬太郎 先生   Mr OHNO Keitaro, Member of the Diet
香川県知事 池田 豊人 様   Mr IKEDA Toyohito,  Governor of Kagawa Prefecture
前香川県知事 浜田恵三 様   Mr HAMADA Keizo, Former Governor of Kagawa Prefecture
宇多津町長 谷川 俊博 様   Mr TANIKAWA Toshihiro, Town Mayor of Utazu 
香川県議会議員 天雲 千恵美先生   Ms Chiemi Tenkumo, Kagawa  Perfectural Council Member
元百十四銀行頭取 竹﨑 克彦 様  Mr TAKESAKI Katsuhiko, Former President of the Hyakujushi Bank, Ltd.
高松商工会議所 常務理事兼事務局長 長井 一喜 様  Mr NAGAI Kazuki, Director and the Secretary -general of Takamatsu Chamber of Commerce
宇多津町議会議員 藤本 和代様、他  Ms FUJIMOTO Kazuyo, Town  Councilor of Utatzu, and others
 

WORKSHOP

 
展覧会前の企画として、出品者のカロリーナ・レフェクを講師として迎え、大学生や高校生38名を対象に、ポーランドの木版画講座が開催されました。カロリーナ・レフェクが所属するカトヴィツェ美術大学は、版画による作品制作が盛んであり、国際的に高く評価を受けています。日本でも長い歴史を持ち世界的にも影響を与えている木版画を専門とする次世代芸術家を講師に迎えました。日本とポーランドの文化・芸術の違いを感じながら、版画制作を行いました。参加者が互いの文化の独自性だけでなく共通点を見出しながらの指導のもと、密度の高い制作時間を過ごして頂いたと思います。
 
As a pre-exhibition project, a Polish woodcut workshop was held for 38 university and high school students with the exhibitor Karolina Lefek as a lecturer. Academy of Fine Art in Katowice, to which she used to belong as a postgraduate student, is internationally acclaimed for its active production of prints. We invited the next generation of artist specialising in woodcut prints, which have a long history in Japan and have had a global impact to lead the workshop. The participants made their own woodcut, while feeling the difference between Japan and Polish culture and art. We believe that they spent a productive time under the guidance of Karolina, feeling not only the uniqueness of each other's cultures but also their similarities.
 

LECTURE


 
2023年 8月20日(日)5:30pm - 8:00pm (日本時間)
高校生や大学生を主な対象として「世界的評価の高いポーランドの版画芸術の発展・現状や日本との文化交流について」をテーマにカトヴィツェ美術大学 ⇄ 香川短期大学をオンラインで開催いたしました。約60名の参加者からの講師への質問は、制作へのモチベーションの維持やテーマの決め方など表現者としてのリアルな悩みが上がりました。
講師:Artur MASTERNAK, PhD. (アルトゥル・マステルナク准教授)・Sybilla SKALUBA PhD.(シビラ・スカウバ講師)共にAcademy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice(カトヴィッツェ美術大学)
サテライト:香川県立高松東高等学校・ホワイトキューブ高松つくもギャラリー
進行:濱野 暢子
通訳:大嶋 寛子
 
Sunday, 20 August 2023, 5: 30pm - 8 : 00pm ( Japan time )
Online lecture connecting between Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice and Kagawa Junior College was held on the theme of ‘The development and current state of printmaking in Poland, which is highly regarded worldwide, and cultural exchange with Japan’ mainly f or high school and university students. The questions a sked to the lecturer from some students from the about 60 participants raised real concerns as an artist, such as maintaining motivation for production and how to decide on a theme of their work.
Lecturers: Artur MASTERNAK, PhD and Sybilla SKAŁUBA
PhD., Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice
Satellite: Takamatsu Higashi High School, White Cube Takamatsu Tsukumo Gallery
Facilitator: HAMANO Nobuko
Interpreter: OSHIMA Hiroko
 

MEDIA

掲載:四国新聞 2023年8月25日


 

GRATITUDE

お礼

 
Participating in the "8th Wa no Contemporary" was a wonderful and very valuable experience for me. Thank you all for the professionalism in organizing this event and the amazing atmosphere. It was a beautiful adventure!
I am very grateful to Prof. Nobuko Hamano and Prof. Toshihiro Hamano for the invitation and care. It was a great pleasure and honor to meet such inspiring people as them. My big dream was come to Japan, but a few months ago I didn't know that dreams come true so quickly. I'm glad for the opportunity to meet many amazing people, talk with them and learn about the unique culture of Japan, which I love. All this was a valuable experience for me and extremely inspiring for further artistic activities. I hope this will give me the opportunity to continue my artistic development and create art, especially in the field of graphics. I would really like to return to Japan as soon as possible!

Karolina LEFEK
 

「第8回和のコンテンポラリー」に参加できたことは、私にとって素晴らしく、とても貴重な経験でした。このプログラムを開催された皆様のプロ意識と素晴らしい環境に感謝します。なんとも美しい冒険でした!
濱野年宏教授、濱野暢子教授のお心遣い、ご支援に感謝いたします。また、たくさんの素晴らしい人たちに出会えたことを嬉しく、光栄に思っています。私の夢は日本を訪れることでした、数ヶ月前夢がこんなに早く実現するとは思いませんでした。多くの素晴らしい方たちと出会い、対話し、私が愛する日本の独特の文化について学ぶ機会をいただき嬉しく思います。
これらの全ては貴重な経験であり、今後の制作にとって非常に刺激になるものでした。芸術家としての成長と、特に版画の分野における作品制作に背中を押してくれることを願っています。できるだけ早く日本に戻ってくるきたいと思っています!

カロリーナ・レフェク

 
 
 
What the three of us had in common was that we used nature as the subject of our work. In particular, through my interaction with Karolina, I learned that Polish students have international perspectives and create their works with their own assertiveness. In order for me to play an active role in the future, I would like to expand my horizon beyond what I can see now and pursue the theme of my work. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to whose who have chosen us to be part of the programme with the objective to foster the next generation of artists and supported us. We will continue to do our best so play an even more active role from our hometown of Kagawa Prefecture.

KUDO Momoko
 

今回、私たち3人は自然をモチーフにしているという共通点がありました。その中でも、カロリーナさんとの交流を通して、ポーランドの学生は国際社会に目を向けており、それぞれの主張をもって作品を制作していることを知りました。私自身がこれから活躍していくためにも、今自分が見えているところよりもさらに外側へと意識を広げ、作品のテーマを追求していきたいと思います。最後に、今回の次世代芸術家育成プログラムに選抜してくださり、支えてくださった皆さま、本当にありがとうございました。地元である香川県からさらに活躍できるよう、これからも精一杯励んでまいります。

工藤 桃子

 
 
 
Through the three persons exhibition, I realised that we are influenced by our society we have been living in. I felt that Karolina was expressing her thoughts, and Momoko seemed to try to look deeply into them. Working together with them has made me think that we need to have our own ideas and face the work from a broader perspective. I want to paint mental landscapes that are close to the hearts of people who transcend time, culture, time and space, so that people who see the painting will remember the beautiful scenery they saw someday. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who came to the exhibition and supported it. It is thanks to everyone supported us that we were able to hold such an exhibition in our hometown of Kagawa. I would like to continue to face with my artworks and deepen them.

MITANI Ayano
 

今回の展覧会を通して自分達はこれまでに生きてきた社会に影響を受けていることを実感しました。カロリーナさんは自分の考えを発信し、工藤さんはその内に入り見つめるように向き合っていると感じました。共に活動をする中で、自分の考えを持ちもっと広い視点で作品と向き合っていかなければならないのだなと考えさせられました。絵を見た人がいつか見た美しい景色を思い出すような時代や文化、時空を越えるひとびとの心に寄り添える心象風景を描きたいです。最後になりますが、展覧会に来てくださった方々、展覧会を支えて下さった方々本当にありがとうございました。地元香川でこうして展覧会を行えたのも皆様のおかげです。これからもさらに自分の作品と向き合い深めていきたいと思います。

三谷 彩乃

 
 
 
Thanks to everyone’s support, ‘the 8th Wa no Contemporary’ has come to the end. Karolina has returned to Poland, and Momoko and Ayano have returned to their Universities in Tokyo. They are now gone back to their usual days of study and production of artworks. Thank you for coming to the exhibition and giving warm encouragement to the next generation of artists. I think all three of them have begun to develop the strength to express their gratitude to everyone. Please watch over the three of them sternly but warmly. We, the members of Wa no Contemporary, will support the next generation of artists who are sincerely engaged in their work. Recently, we often hear about supports for young people, but I believe that it is important to build relationships which is based not only on a broad viewpoint but also on each individual's ideas, and to develop activities firmly on the trust established over many years and in the continuation of it. We will humbly strive to contribute to the rich development of culture and art by interacting with the world directly from Kagawa through art. Thank you for your guidance and support.

5 September 2023
HAMANO Nobuko
 

「第8回和のコンテンポラリー」もお陰様で終了いたしました。カロリーナはポーランドへ、工藤さん三谷さんも東京の美術大学へ戻り、いつもの制作の日々に戻りつつあります。お越しくださり、また、次世代の芸術家たちに背中を押して頂きありがとうございました。3名ともみなさまへの感謝と展開していく強さを身に付けはじめたと思います。今後の3人を厳しくも温かく見守ってください。わたしたちメンバーは、真摯に制作に向き合う次世代の芸術家を支援させて頂きます。昨今、若手支援はよく耳にしますが、総論的というより、一人一人の考えを見極めて関係を作っていくことを何より重要としております。それは長い年月の中で築き上げてきた信頼関係と、その継続の中においてでしか成立しません。香川から世界へ、そして世界から香川へと芸術を通して交流し、文化芸術の豊かな発展に貢献できるよう謙虚に努めてまいります。 みなさまのご指導、ご支援をよろしくお願い申し上げます。

2023年9月5日
代表 濱野 暢子

 
 
 

SPONSORS

Organiesd by: Wa no Contemporary
Subsidised by: Kagawa Prefectural Cultural Promotion Foundation, Kagawa Junior College
Supported by: Kagawa Prefecture, Takamatsu City, Utazu Town, Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education, Takamatsu City Board of Education, Utazu Town Board of Education
In Cooperation with: Katowice University of Art and Design, Kagawa Junior College

 

STAFF

 
8th Wa no Contemporary staff
Director/ HAMANO Nobuko,  Deputy Director/ BITO Yukiko,  Executive staff (International)/ OSHIMA Hiroko,  Executive staff/ SHIMA Sayuri 
Workshop staff / IMAI Masatoshi,  SHIMA Hinano,  IMAJO Rin,   IRIMIYA Ichika, Student volanteers from Design and Art Course at Kagawa Junior College
 
  JP