Alumni Art Exhibition in Japan
News
BSU lecturer brings East and West together in Japanese art exhibition
Wednesday, 11 December, 2024BSU lecturer brings East and West together in new art exhibition
Angel Greenham, associate lecturer at BSU and alumna of the School of Art, Film and Media, has recently opened a Contemporary Arts and Spirits (CAS) International Exchange Exhibition in two galleries in Osaka, Japan.
The inspiration behind the exhibition derives from Angel’s first journey to Japan, which, though she didn’t know it at the time, would change her life. Witnessing ancient traditions and excellent craftmanship, experiencing hot springs and Japanese architecture, opened her eyes to a culture and aesthetic that would influence her future artwork. Since then, Angel dreamed of returning to Japan and exhibiting her work.
In the summer of 2023, Angel contacted Japanese galleries with a proposal: a group exhibition with 6 UK based artists, with whom she has connected through BSU, and 6 artists from Japan. Following this, she would lead the same exhibition in the UK. +1 Art in Osaka returned to her and explained their excitement towards her proposal.
This year in October, the exhibition, titled Winds from the West, Winds from the East, opened in Osaka, Japan, across two galleries, CAS Art gallery and +1 Art, set in a beautiful Japanese townhouse. Both galleries introduced the exhibition with live performances on opening night.
CAS is a non-profit contemporary art space, which shows experimental and non-commercial works. CAS organises around eight exhibitions a year, as well as related programs such as lectures and meetings. The director of CAS, Takashi Sasaoka, is also a professor at Sangyo University in Osaka. This building of an international relationship has the potential to open new opportunities for Bath Spa University students and EMERGE residents.
Speaking on the purpose of the exhibition, Angel reflected:
“This project was conceived to give opportunities to Bath Spa graduates, but also to share this experience and knowledge with students on creative courses and inspire them to dream big.”
She continued:
“This is a knowledge creating project where new information and experiences can be shared to allow students to expand their professional practice to consider international markets. I hope this encourages students and graduates to reach for their goals as these things are within our grasp, we just have to have the courage to go for it.”
Clouds of Abstract - Winds from the West, Winds from the East
UK Artists
Angel Greenham - @angel_greenham
Followthesun_studio - @followthesun_studio
Will Hughes - @will_hughes_art_
Kelsey Cruz-Martin - @kelseycruzmartin
Neill Fuller - @neillfuller
Mikey Thomas - @mikey_c_thomas
Japanese Artists
TAKEMOTO Hirofumi - @takemotohirofumi
KOMATSU Toshihiro - @toshihiro_komatsu
KAWABATA Yoshihito
FUJIIE Keiko
KANAZAWA Kenichi
SASAOKA Takashi - @sasaokatakashi