Visit to Japan-one year on from tsunami.

Works related to tsunami and earthquake. One year on, thoughts are with the people of Japan.

Joshibi University 3 week student exchange Sep/Oct 2011

I had the opportunity to see first hand the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami in Northern Japan with the department and students from the School of Design and Healing , Joshibi University in Tokyo. The Gallery shown is located in Ishinomaki, refurbished and run by emerging artists. This artist (still searching her name)has collected drawers from the tsunami debris and painted a traditional design with a earth red colour local to Kyoto. This gallery was up and running within months after the tsunami had devastated the region shown in photo with yellow wall. The dragon (outside the gallery) is a symbol of courage and was made by community members from a piece of driftwood found in the aftermath.

Arriving over 6 months after the tsunami, I noticed many piles of collected bouys and rolls of netting from the fishing villages. They consist of yellow, black, and netting wrapped styrophone bouys. These were perhaps some of the only objects that came out unscathed.

Art installations include photographs from the Sendai Media Centre, and works from the Yokahama Triennalle.