"I Love You, Aishiteru"
UCHSK Year 10 student, Morgan Woodford, received a Special Mention in the Art Speaks Japanese Comes Alive! 2015 Student Contest.
This is a national competition where students are required to follow a strict criteria:
1) use inspiration from an artwork illustrated in the Art Speaks: Japanese Japanese language education kit and
2) use Japanese language elements.
2) use Japanese language elements.
The Judges commented that the successful entries, like Morgan's, used these criteria very effectively, and took particular care that the script used was accurate particularly in the case of the tricky kanji characters.
Morgan was inspired by an artwork from the late 16th century.
AGNSW collection Kanô School The arrival of the Portuguese (late 16th century-early 17th century)
In the exegesis of her work, Morgan wrote:
"When looking through the education kit I was looking deeper into the paintings and artworks. I was looking into something that others may not see. So I was looking into the sea. 'What would be in the sea?' I thought. What is something peaceful? So I decided on two koi fish. These two kois are drawn and painted to look as if they are in love. Swimming around each other following each other in a loving motion is supposed to represent the term 'I will follow you where ever you go'. The painting I was inspired by was The arrival of the Portuguese.
I chose to first sketch the drawing and then lightly colour it with watercolours, depending on the colour intensity that I wanted, I put less water mixed with the paint for a more intense colour pay off and for a more sheer look I put less paint and more water.
I chose this method because I find that water colours are very beautiful and are a traditional Japanese method of colour."
Morgan's use of watercolor is exceptional, her technique creates a calming underwater scene and the illusion of movement. The Yin and Yang positioning of the Koi is a symbolism commonly associated with Japanese artforms. Morgan's work shows excellent technique and thought in her multi layered approach; it will be very exciting to see how she develops as an artist.
I chose this method because I find that water colours are very beautiful and are a traditional Japanese method of colour."
Morgan's use of watercolor is exceptional, her technique creates a calming underwater scene and the illusion of movement. The Yin and Yang positioning of the Koi is a symbolism commonly associated with Japanese artforms. Morgan's work shows excellent technique and thought in her multi layered approach; it will be very exciting to see how she develops as an artist.