Talking Points: Tomoko Kawao
How can we show our emotions through the marks we make?
Tomoko Kawao practises Shodō, the Japanese art of calligraphy. Using a large brush dipped in ink, her work is as much a performance as it is what appears on the paper. Her feelings dictate how she holds the brush, moves and creates expressive marks.
Using the below videos and questions, begin a discussion based around Tomoko Kawao’s work.
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Tomoko Kawao
Kawao’s work incorporates her whole body. Kawao focuses on the unbroken movement of brush and combining the English language with the Eastern calligraphic tradition. Tomoko’s practise extends into film, installation and performance.
Watch one of her performances below and prompt class discussion about the artist with the questions below.
Find a BBC Four Short about the work of Tomoko Kawao here.
Questions to Ask Children
What do you like/dislike about Kawao’s work?
How does her work make you feel?
Play some clips of different music genres and invite children to use their arms to create drawings in the air in response to the music.
This Talking Points Is Used In...
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Show me what you see
