Report by Gülnigar Baham, photos by Nicholas Jones
Art in essence is a window, through which we can gaze at and admire the richness of cultures. Today, Japan owes a fairly large portion of its international reputation to its vast range of intricately advanced and detailed Japanese art. Our new event this year aimed to tune into the artistic aspects of life in Japan, and on July 6th, JETAA Toronto members, with the help of our resourceful JET Coordinator, Marcia, hosted the departing JETs at the Paint Cabin.
Including JETAA members, there were about 26 people in attendance: half of the group learning the fundamental techniques of Mokuhanga and the remaining half exploring their skills in Japanese themed acrylic painting. Although there were some artistically inclined individuals who made many of us (perhaps only me) jealous of their skills, those of us who had little prior training in art surpassed our own expectations with the help of the patient staff at the Paint Cabin.
Before we began squirting paint on our palettes in the painting group, we were asked to choose an image to reinterpret. I chose an ukiyo-e, along with a few other new JETs who seemed to share my interest in that picture. Yet, despite having the same picture as guidance, we each arrived at a complete different painting when we finished, revealing a very profound JET message: Every Situation is Different (ESiD)!
Looking back, I had a silly sense of pride for my painting team. Our task at hand seemed far more complex than woodcarving– get paint on your palette without splashing all over yourself or someone else, try to remember what colours to mix to get to the colour of your desires, make consistent strokes of paint, remember to wash/change brush, etc. All te while, the Mokuhanga team simply carved their wood. When we finished, it felt rewarding to have overcome all the challenges, to be looking at the canvas that I had painted. Then I walked over to the Mokuhanga side and almost immediately wished I had tried this.
This was the Mokuhanga team’s first time trying the technique, yet they valiantly, relentlessly carved that wood into perfection. While painting, I had many chances to fix and erase my mistakes. Here, Mokuhanga left them no other choice than to embrace the mistake and integrate it into their work. At the end, each sheet of finished print reflected a unique battle with the wood.
Initially, our focus, as JETAA members, was solely to inspire the JETs and get them excited about their exhilarating adventure to Japan. Yet, throughout the night, I myself felt very inspired, once again, amongst this community of energetic and powerful people, who have decided to take the big leap in their lives. I hope they have as fond memories of Japan as I now have when they decide to return.
