About Masako

PROFILE

Masako Nunokawa
E-mail：nunoma@ka2.so-net.ne.jp
Instagram ：https://www.instagram.com/neowa_art/

Masako Nunokawa
E-mail：nunoma@ka2.so-net.ne.jp
Instagram ：https://www.instagram.com/neowa_art/

I studied human sensibility and creativity at Tsukuba University Graduate School, and then obtained a doctorate from Hokkaido University Graduate School with a thesis on “First-person research on art.”

Art is not merely a means of expression, but an endeavor to explore spiritual phenomena such as “prayer,” “awareness,” and ‘transformation’ through one’s own experiences. For me, art is a “method for confronting the invisible,” and I continue to question this technique every day.

Currently, while leading Neo-WA Art, I continue my activities as an individual artist. Through participating in art fairs, installations, and dialogues with international collectors,
I aim to convey “quiet spirituality” from Japan to the world.

ARTIST STATEMENT
The Beauty of Japanese Art – The Source of Creativity

One day, I suddenly felt the urge to connect with Japanese culture and began
visiting shrines and temples. What struck me most was the diverse ways in which people worship the gods at shrines. The belief that divinity can be found in
everything from mountains and rocks to rivers and even animals, and the sincere reverence for nature that accompanies this belief, are distinctive features of Japanese culture.

The gabled roofs are unique to Japan, and despite their simple wooden construction, their architectural beauty is overwhelming. On the other hand, temples are very ornate. They incorporate styles such as the Indian and Chinese styles that were introduced from China, with intricate decorations and bold structures, and they possess a powerful and elegant presence that touches the heart. Among these, the rich coloring using red, black, and gold is a testament to the unique aesthetic sensibility of the Japanese people.

As I visited these shrines and temples, I met foreigners who admired the art and visited the shrines and temples with reverence. It was a joy to see them feel a sense of respect for Japanese culture and art, and to share the same emotions and understanding with them. The philosophy underlying Japanese culture and art may be a catalyst for changing the current state of politics and economics in the world, where materialism and worship of money are rampant.

The aesthetic beauty of the sliding door paintings in the main building of Nijo Castle, the 1,000 statues of the Eleven-Faced Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Kannon Bodhisattva lined up in the Sanjusangendo Temple, and the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures, all evoke a breathtaking sense of awe. The grandeur of Kyoto’s Nishijin textiles, which I reference as motifs, inspires my creative endeavors.

Additionally, the beauty and transience of spring adorned with cherry blossoms, the moon and clouds floating in the quiet night sky, and the crimson autumn
foliage reflected in a pond—these scenes make me feel that there is some great divine artistry at work. Capturing these scenes and digesting them in my own way is perhaps the mission of a Japanese artist.