Vietnam ’s development and the major changes taking place in thecountry have been an endless inspiration for Japanese painter Toba Mikawho is well-known for her Katazome, or stencil dyed paintings.
Most of her work is of landscapes in Vietnam and over the past 16years, she has created almost 100 paintings depicting the country, whichshe has a special attachment to.
“When I think ofVietnam, I become inspired, so when I see changes in the country I wantto bring it to life in my work,” the Professor at the Kyoto SeikaUniversity of the Arts told the daily newspaper Thanh Nien (YoungPeople).
There are no people in Mika’s paintings,but Mika said “I see the scenery’s soul and personality like humanbeings. Some of the landscapes have existed for hundreds of years andwitnessed the lives and fates of many people. Every scene has its ownsoul.”
Through Mika’s paintings, people can seeimages of Vietnam development, from once having ancient streets withold, moss covered houses and high-rise buildings to streets adornedwith advertising.
Toba Mika has visited almostevery region in Vietnam and she paints to record the scenery as wellas preserve Japan ’s traditional art of Katazome, which has existedsince the 12 th century.
Mika has recently been inVietnam to attend the exhibition “ Nara and Hanoi – connectingeternal capital cities” which is showcasing her paintings of Hanoi .
Held at the Temple of Literature and theVietnam Fine Arts Museum from December 6-25, the exhibition aimsto celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 1,300years of the ancient capital of Nara of Japan./.
Most of her work is of landscapes in Vietnam and over the past 16years, she has created almost 100 paintings depicting the country, whichshe has a special attachment to.
“When I think ofVietnam, I become inspired, so when I see changes in the country I wantto bring it to life in my work,” the Professor at the Kyoto SeikaUniversity of the Arts told the daily newspaper Thanh Nien (YoungPeople).
There are no people in Mika’s paintings,but Mika said “I see the scenery’s soul and personality like humanbeings. Some of the landscapes have existed for hundreds of years andwitnessed the lives and fates of many people. Every scene has its ownsoul.”
Through Mika’s paintings, people can seeimages of Vietnam development, from once having ancient streets withold, moss covered houses and high-rise buildings to streets adornedwith advertising.
Toba Mika has visited almostevery region in Vietnam and she paints to record the scenery as wellas preserve Japan ’s traditional art of Katazome, which has existedsince the 12 th century.
Mika has recently been inVietnam to attend the exhibition “ Nara and Hanoi – connectingeternal capital cities” which is showcasing her paintings of Hanoi .
Held at the Temple of Literature and theVietnam Fine Arts Museum from December 6-25, the exhibition aimsto celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 1,300years of the ancient capital of Nara of Japan./.
