• Ishii Hirokichi (1874-1942),
• Izawa Deiryu (1895-1954),
• Kameyama Koo (1913-2000),
• Kamitsukasa Kaiun (1906-1975),
• Mokuan Shoto (1611-1684),
• Mugaku Bun'eki (1818-1897),
• Ogasawara Naganari (1867-1958),
• Shimizu Kosho (1911-1999),
• Suenaga Misao (1869-1960)

This exhibition of Japanese calligraphy features hanging scrolls painted with characters that are disfigured, compressed, or otherwise artistically manipulated. The character itself is merely the starting point for the calligrapher’s artistic, spontaneous expression.  This is art of the how, rather than art of the what, with readability not necessarily related to comprehension of the image. Meaning is merely one aspect of the image; however the individual and unique expressions of the artists displayed may be viewed as abstract works of art.   It is the play of ink on paper, the controlled spontaneity, and the power of the brush’s progress over the surface which are so visually compelling.

The paintings in this exhibition have been selected with a view to focussing on the ink’s expressiveness rather than the individual works’ literal message.  There are no poems, philosophical statements or incomprehensible, paradoxical Zen sayings. These works of art consist of only a single character. The aim is to show that despite the spontaneity and speed with which the artwork may have been created, the blurred lines, the stains of ink and the progression of wet to dry brush within a single brushstroke are not missteps but rather desired and essential aspects of the overall design.