Japanese artist uses mixed media to ‘make people happy’

AMMAN — Hundreds of Jordanians experienced Japanese art at Yuko Kawaguchi’s “The Colour Stories” solo exhibition which concluded on Wednesday at the Royal Cultural Centre. 

The exhibition attracted local and international visitors, including Iraqi artist Hani Dallah Ali and Jordanian artists Samer Haddadin and Juman Nimri. 

The show featured colourful works of mixed media on canvas, as a tribute paid to the closeness between Jordan and Japan. 

“I visited Jordan for the first time 10 years ago and I loved it,” Kawaguchi told The Jordan Times at the centre, adding that “Jordanians are the most peaceful and modest people”.

Recurring motifs of birds and butterflies were hidden in the artist’s abstract work, with each piece offering a feast to the eyes. 

Traditional Japanese paper and acrylic, mixed with ceramic powder gave the paintings a highly detailed and layered look, dominated by hues of pink, blue and green. 

When asked about the message she is trying to convey, the artist said it revolves around feelings. “I really just want people to feel happy when they look at my paintings,” Kawaguchi said, adding that she believes “art has the power to connect people”.

“I do not speak English or Arabic very well, but I believe art is a language in itself, which speaks louder than words,” the artist stated. 

Kawaguchi, who has public collections available at the Jordan National Art Museum and Al Qasr Metropole Hotel in Amman, is the recipient of several awards such as the Asia Modern Art Exhibition Award, the Price of Fuji Television, and the price of Sankei newspaper.