Snow 1982

Toko Shinoda created "Snow" with sumi ink, a material deeply rooted in Japanese calligraphic tradition. Shinoda, who lived to be 107, navigated the male-dominated world of calligraphy by embracing abstraction. Here, Shinoda creates a landscape that is both familiar and otherworldly, the black ink forming the foundation and frame for the 'snow'. Note how the stark contrast is disrupted by the red lines cutting through the lower portion of the work. These lines inject a sense of tension into the serene image and serve as a reminder of the artist's presence. Shinoda’s work transcends traditional representation and offers a new visual language that reflects the shifting identities of post-war Japan, while inviting us to contemplate our place within the vastness of the natural world.