Awareness: New Works by Souun Takeda & Wataru Hatano

Porch Gallery Ojai presents Awareness: New Works by Souun Takeda & Wataru Hatano. As one of Japan’s foremost calligraphy artists, Takeda is highly praised for his innovative, yet traditional way of expressing the beauty of the Japanese language and spirit. Hatano is renowned for his innovative process of blending the beauty of the washi paper with stationery products, furniture and interior spaces such as wallpaper and flooring. Partnering for the first time in the United States, Awareness features Takeda’s artworks in collaboration with Hatano’s washi paper-based canvasses that were created to enhance the depth of Takeda’s signature brushstrokes.

Born in 1975 in Kumamoto, Souun Takeda was first exposed to calligraphy at the age of three by his mother Souyou Takeda, a professional calligrapher in her own right. After graduating from university, Souun chose to work for Japan’s largest telecom company. After three years, he left the company and become a professional calligrapher. He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Japan and the United States. His work is held in such high regard by his country that at the age of 40, he has been hired by the Japanese government as a cultural envoy and sent to countries in Southeast Asia to promote Japanese culture.

Wataru Hatano studied oil painting at Tama Art University and completed his training in Kurotani Washi (Japanese paper) in 1997. In addition to the worldwide group and solo exhibitions that showcase the essence of washi paper, Hatano creates spaces using washi paper, including his latest work with Studio Mumbai Architects for LOG in Onomichi, Japan.