NAGAO Isaku
Born: 15 March 1875 – Died: 10 March 1943
Particulars:
Isaku was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. He was a widower working as a miner for a nickel mining company in Kanaky / New Caledonia when the Pacific War broke out. He was taken to South Australia and interned at Loveday Internment Camp. Aged 70, he died of tuberculosis. His grave is now in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Ren Yano
Artist/s Statement:
Isaku san’s ‘saku’ can mean ‘to bloom’ in Japanese. As a backdrop to my calligraphy of his name, I placed an iconic flower from Sydney where I live – the jacaranda. The purple flowers are set against a calm blue sky with thin clouds.
Artist Bio:
Ren Yano is a Japanese calligraphy artist and permanent resident of Australia, who brings the elegance of traditional Japanese art to Sydney’s cultural landscape. Notably, he showcased his craft by composing a heartfelt message of support for the Australian team at the Australian Olympic Committee office during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. Ren has captivated his audiences at prestigious events such as Japan Expo, where he performs live demonstrations of large scale calligraphy, creating striking artworks with sweeping brushstrokes.