Natsuko Nakamura Print Exhibition
aross the sea うみをわたる
As I gaze at the islands floating in the sea,
They look like mountains peeking through the clouds.
The islands are mountains, and the mountains are islands—
This is something that they make me realize.
When you look at the islands in the sea
They look like mountains peeping out from the clouds
An island is a mountain and a mountain is an island
It reminds me of that too.
Not too close, yet not too far, my connection with the islanders.
Imagining the realistic island life,
A short but long stay as a rare visitor.
How many times did I cross the sea during that time?
Having grown up in the vast, flat Kanto Plain,
Nagasaki's beautiful hilly landscape amazes me.
The scent of the tide and the lush, green vegetation
Welcomed me with their full hospitality.
In ancient times, people came from somewhere else, not here,
Like waves coming and going from the eternal world.
Welcoming visitors who come and go—
This is the great vessel that Nagasaki possesses.
In a town of shipwrights, I am on a little white boat,
And like in ancient times, Nagasaki welcomes foreigners,
Sending them off as it has done for centuries.
I am now writing the story of my journey with Nagasaki.
For the exhibition
Journey to Far Away |
Presides over the Online Art Gallery「KIRI to RIBBON」
Mistress Noohl
People always think of “far away”. The future to come, familiar landscapes from long ago, foreign lands once visited or yet to be seen, or the life of someone who lived somewhere else someday. The awe of a higher being or nature is also a gaze into the distance. Natsuko's creative activities remind us to “think far away in order to live well in the here and now.
Natsuko's monochrome prints, which are made of honestly engraved lines, sometimes decorated with embroidery thread, Western-style foil, and mother-of-pearl shells, contain a spirituality that has been slowly contemplated over a long period of time. The gentle wildness and intelligence that emanates from her prints speaks of a path of exploration that has taken her down various side roads.
Natsuko never takes shortcuts. She carefully traces, steps, and crosses endless distances. With her works in front of us, we too, traverse, walk, and cross the endless distance. And so, after sharing this journey into the distance, we return to the present. The way out is with Natsuko, but the way back is ours, each of us on our own. We are surprised to see her lighter-than-usual footsteps.
A single line becomes a wave, a single line becomes a light, and the string of lights becomes the sea. Once again, Natsuko “crosses the sea. Natsuko “crosses the sea” again and again. And we too will “cross the sea” together. To return to the here and now.
Fellow Traveler |
Visual Artist
Henrietta Molinaro
I met Natsuko many moons ago, when we both moved to London to go to art college. We did our foundation course together and very quickly became friends. Our connection was strong and although we later on moved into separate year groups we remained close friends and went on to become flatmates. It was a very special time to get to know each other and share our dreams and love for art.
I have always seen Natsuko as a very inquisitive and patient person - both qualities that I think are reflected in her meticulously crafted work, in the choice of medium and subject matter. Interested in people, cultures, history, she would always ask questions and listen. A rare quality.
Her choice of printmaking perhaps also a sign of patience, planning and reflection. The technique involves carving designs into wooden blocks, applying ink to the raised areas, and transferring the image to paper. The process is precise and requires a high level of skill and craftsmanship. Reflecting cultural, social, and personal narratives vividly through bold imagery, woodcuts are the oldest form of fine art printmaking that seems to so perfectly suit her work.
During one summer we travelled together to my home town of Montepulciano in Italy. And of course Natsuko was interested in meeting all of my family, learning about our culture and sharing her own - I will never forget the lovely Japanese meal she cooked for us. I hope one day I will visit Japan and cook her some Italian food.
It’s funny, in a way we are completely opposite characters (I am impulsive, with an Italian temperament) - and that is probably what peppered our friendship and fuelled our curiosity and love for each other.
Ours is a friendship across the sea. But whether it be distance or time we always pick up from where we left off.
And I love learning more about her journey through her gorgeous work.
Exhibition Details
Dates ｜November 23 Sat, 2024 - December 8 Sun, 2024
Hours ｜11:30 AM - 7:00 PM (Last admission at 6:30 PM)
Sundays 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Closed ｜Mondays / Tuesdays
Artist in Attendance｜November 23 Sat / 24 Sun
Venue ｜063 Factory https://063factory.art/
Address｜3-7 Funadaikucho, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan 850-0904
Phone ｜092-737-7570
Profile
Natsuko Nakamura
Born in Tokyo. Lived in Kyoto, London, and Paris, currently based in Tokyo.
After visiting her grandmother's hometown, the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture,
she continues to explore her roots while engaging with the nature, history, and Christian culture of Nagasaki.
Major Exhibition History
2022 Journey of Prayer | Former Tsushima Rescue Institute (Nagasaki)
2022 Kuruhara Miki & Mist and Ribbon Hildegard Series Collaborative Exhibition | Mist and Ribbon (Tokyo)
2022 April Garden / Eden | Gallery Mizusu (Niigata)
2021 Prints Tell Stories | Bunbodo Gallery (Tokyo)
2019 Travelers | MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY (Tokyo)
2018 Contemplativa - Life of Contemplation | Tambourine Gallery (Tokyo)
2016 Island of Prayer | HB Gallery (Tokyo)
Major Awards
2019 19th Joshibi Production and Research Encouragement Award
2016 18th Joshibi Paris Award
2015 6th Yamamoto Kanae Print Award Honorable Mention
2014 20th Kanuma City Kawakami Sumio Art Museum Woodblock Print Award Honorable Mention
Education
2005 Graduated from the London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
1995 Graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Department of Spatial Design, Major in Metal Crafts
Islands and Towns Visited in Nagasaki
2015 Fukue Island, Nakadori Island, Kashiraga Island (Goto Islands)
2017 Nagasaki City, Hirado City, Unzen City, Minami Shimabara City
2018 Fukue City, Kuroshima, Naru Island, Ojika Island, Nozaki Island (Goto Islands)
2020 Nagasaki City Sotomura
2021 Nagasaki City Sotomura
2022 Nagasaki City Sotomura
2024 Nagasaki City Sotomura