Sumire Shinjo
Originally from Okinawa. From an early age, she was adept at drawing and making block prints. She lived in Okinawa through high school, and when presented with the difficult decision of whether to stay in Okinawa or move to the Japanese mainland, she chose to attend an art college in Tokyo after graduating from high school.
Dyeing like Drawings, and Drawing like Carvings
While trying to think of something special to do for her graduation project in her fourth year of college, Shinjo had the idea to combine the wax-resist dyeing she had studied in college with the woodblock printing she had long been accustomed to. Even today, her work is based on this combination.
Searching for Artistic Meaning within Expression Freed from Rules
This combination of wax-resist dyeing and woodblock printing was entirely unprecedented, leaving Shinjo free to define her work however she saw fit. At the same time, though, she has faced challenges in following her artistic “recipe,” with basic tasks like drawing straight lines, and dyeing without the ink bleeding.
Colors and Shapes as a Part of Everyday Life
Shinjo’s works draw on unassuming moments from everyday life as a source of inspiration — part of why she has remained in Kanazawa is the lush natural environment, and the four distinct seasons that Okinawa largely lacks. She takes pains to ensure that the results of her work reflect what originally inspired it, such as the feeling of warmth she imagined upon seeing red flowers.
Art That Tells a Story, Brimming with Joy and Strength
Shinjo loves when people see her work and let out a chuckle of recognition, or say that they find it endearing. In fact, she aims to share the joys of Kanazawa, and Japan as a whole, with people who aren’t from these places. She also hopes to make more art that draws upon her Okinawan roots, as well. Her strong, joyful personality shines through in her work, bringing smiles to the faces of countless people.
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