Suibokuga | available | artist | Japanese art | Sumie | Shodo | calligraphy

Junko Azukawa’s exhibition showcases Japanese ink paintings, Sumi-e.

Sumi-e is a philosophy, it’s a way of living and an art form. Sumi soot ink painting began around the 8th century and then evolved as a Zen discipline in the Muromachi period in Japan. For Junko, ink painting has become a powerful way to express the moment and explore the connection between nature and inner self.

Longing

Inspired by cherry blossoms. There is a distinct change in the four seasons in my hometown. It gets really hot and humid in summer, it snows heavily in winter. Cherry blossoms are blooming in spring and Autumn leaves are burning wherever you go.

By experiencing the seasons, you realise nothing lasts forever. Change is expected in life. Picked up a Japanese red ink stick and started grinding it, splashing the ink on the paper celebrating the transient beauty of cherry blossoms.

Japanese pigment on paper on wooden panel in frame

79cm x 79cm

$1,800

Every breath

Sumi ink on paper on wooden panel in frame

39cm x 137cm

$1,800

Experience

Sumi ink on paper on wooden panel in frame

40cm x 126cm

$1,800

Peace with the unknown

Sumi ink on canvas

146cm x 90cm

$2,600

Here now

Calligraphy:

Together living in the moment

Sumi ink on paper in wooden floating frame

74cm x 102cm

$2,200

About Ensō (円相)

Ensō circle is one of the most prevalent images of Zen art, and it has become a
kind of symbol of the clean and strong Japanese aesthetic. It has been subject to a
rich variety of interpretations seen as everything from a rice cake to a symbol of
infinity.

Ensō expresses the totality of our being. It symbolises enlightenment,
completeness, a life cycle, the universe itself, the void, harmony, and more but
regardless of how it is understood, the Ensō is above all an expression of the mind
of the artist who brushes it.

It is certainly a mysterious symbol to me because whenever Ensō appears in my
artwork, I am not in control.