About

綱島 礼子 / EN

綱島礼子の作品は、墨と紙による抽象表現です。主なテーマは自然の風景や心象風景であり、彼女はそれを「墨の情景」と呼んでいます。綱島の制作は、素材そのものが持つ性質を尊重し、人為的な操作や演出を極力省くことを大切にしています。墨、水、紙という自然由来の素材は、その日の気温や湿度、紙の状態など、わずかな環境の違いによって表情を大きく変化させます。作品は作家だけで完成するのではなく、素材と自然環境が制作の主体として関わることで成立しています。綱島は自然がもたらす変化を制御しようとするのではなく、作品に不可欠な要素として受け入れており、自身の制作を「自然との共作」と捉えています。筆を運ぶなかで生まれる墨のにじみや広がりは、単なる偶然ではなく、素材と環境と作者の動作が響き合うことで現れる現象です。さらに、乾燥の工程においても墨はゆるやかに変化を続け、濃淡豊かなグラデーションや複雑な表情が生まれます。綱島は、その過程で自然に立ち現れる多様な景色を見出し、一つの作品として定着させていきます。そのため作品には、その日、その瞬間にしか生まれない固有の風景が宿り、見る者に山並みや雲、水面、霧などを思わせる情景を感じさせます。一方で、作品を構成する紙マットのカッティングや配置は、作家によって繊細に設計されています。自然に委ねる部分と緻密に構成する部分が均衡することで、簡潔でありながら深い空間性をもつ独自の表現が成立しています。綱島礼子の作品は、鑑賞者を「墨の情景」へと誘う窓のような存在です。その窓を通して、見る人はそれぞれの記憶や感覚を重ね合わせながら、静かに広がる墨の世界へと入り込んでいきます。

Reiko Tsunashima / EN

Reiko Tsunashima creates abstract works using sumi ink on paper. Her primary subjects are natural landscapes and inner landscapes, which she collectively refers to as Scene of Sumi. Central to Tsunashima’s practice is a deep respect for the inherent qualities of her materials and a deliberate effort to minimize artificial manipulation or theatrical effects. Sumi ink, water, and paper are all natural materials whose behavior changes subtly according to temperature, humidity, the condition of the paper, and other environmental factors. Rather than being created solely through the artist’s intention, each work emerges through the active participation of both the materials and the surrounding environment. Instead of attempting to control these natural transformations, Tsunashima embraces them as essential elements of the creative process. She describes her practice as a “collaboration with nature.” The spreading and bleeding of the ink as she moves the brush are not simply accidental effects, but phenomena that arise through the interaction of the materials, the environment, and the artist’s gestures. The transformation continues even during the drying process. As the ink slowly settles into the paper, it produces subtle gradations of tone and richly layered textures. Throughout this process, Tsunashima discovers landscapes that gradually reveal themselves and ultimately crystallize into a finished work. Each piece therefore contains a unique landscape that could only have existed at that particular moment, inviting viewers to perceive mountains, clouds, water, mist, or other scenes suggested by the ink. In contrast to these naturally occurring processes, the cutting and placement of the paper mats are carefully designed by the artist. The balance between what is entrusted to nature and what is precisely composed gives rise to an expression that is both restrained and profoundly spatial. Tsunashima’s works function like windows into her Scene of Sumi. Looking through these windows, viewers are invited to enter the quiet world of ink, where their own memories and perceptions resonate with the landscapes unfolding before them.

  • Solo
    Exhibitions
  • Group
    Exhibitions
  • Others
2024

Scene of Sumi / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2023

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2020

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2017

Solo Exhibition / JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTRE OF THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN in BELGIUM  / Brussels, Belgium

2015

Solo Exhibition / AVA Galleria / Helsinki, Finland

2014

Scene of Sumi -Shine Brilliantly / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2011

Distant Clouds / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2008

A single art work exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2007

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2005

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2003

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2002

Solo Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2026

encounter — Reiko Tsunashima × Fumie Onuki / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan
Sumi_ism #9 / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2023

OSAKA ART FES HANSHIN 2023  / Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store 8F / Osaka, Japan
Sumi_ism #8 / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2022

Expo I Love Japan / Liège, Belgium

2019

Encre Noire Soleil Levant / L’ARBRE A PLUMES / Brussels, Belgium

2017

Japan in Black and White / ESH gallery / Milan, Italy

2016

SEELENHORT / Galerie Kristine Hamann / Wismar, Germany

2015

CLOSE UP / Galerie Kristine Hamann / Wismar, Germany

2013

Akasawa Sumi Art Exhibition / Hayakawacho / Yamanashi, Japan

2012

KAKEJIKUTEN / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan
Exposicion de Kakejiku / Centro Cultural e Informativo de la Embajada del Japón / Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic

2009

Contemporary Art of Japan Exhibition / JAPAN INFORMATION AND CULTURAL CENTRE OF THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN in BELGIUM / Brussels, Belgium
Japan Premier Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan
Eternal Moment [two-person exhibition] / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2007

Warehouse Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2006

Reimported Japanese Art Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan
Sumi Art Mirai Exhibition / Nara City Museum of Art / Nara, Japan
Japanese Art Exhibition / Koksijde / Koksijde, Belgium
Exhibition Celebrating the Publication of ART UNION JAPAN vol.5 / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2004

Bokko Exhibition / Gallery KITAI / Tokyo, Japan

2002

Japanese Art Exhibition / Koksijde / Koksijde, Belgium

2026

Kunst RAI / Art Amsterdam / RAI Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Drawing Now Paris  / Carreau du Temple, Paris 3rd / Paris, France

2025

Positions Berlin Solo Show / Tempelhof Airport Hangar 7 / Berlin, Germany
Drawing Now Paris  / Carreau du Temple, Paris 3rd / Paris, France
ART TAINAN Solo Show / Silks Place Tainan / Tainan city, Taipei
OSAKA INTERNATIONAL ART Solo Show / Osaka-jo Hall / Osaka, Japan
ART FORMOSA / Taipei Expo Dome / Taipei City, Taiwan

2024

ART FAIR TOKYO : Solo Exhibition / Tokyo International Forum / Tokyo, Japan
Kunst RAI, Solo Show / RAI Amsterdam / Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2023

Drawing Now Art Fair Paris : Solo Exhibition / Carreau du Temple, Paris 3rd / Paris, France

2020

London Art Fair : Solo Exhibition / Busuness Design Centre / London, UK

2019

Draw Art Fair : Solo Exhibition / SAATCHI GALLERY / London, UK

2018

Drawing Room Madrid : Solo Exhibition / CÍRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES / Madrid, Spain

2017

Art on paper at BOZAR : Solo Exhibition / BOZAR / Brussels, Belgium