Taeko Sakujo - Artist with Mind, Heart, and Soul
August 6, 2004
Front, right: Mieko Kido (coordinator), Taeko Sakujo (artist), and Mr. and Mrs. Kuba (their daughter Meredith Kuba was the Cherry Blossom Queen of Hawaii 2004, and had joined the Nisei Week Parade in Little Tokyo).
Taeko Sakujo
Artist, Taeko Sakujo’s solo exhibition was held at the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo on August 13--18, 2004. Together with her associate, Ms. Mieko Kido, the exhibition consisted of approximately thirty-five contrasting oil paintings.
Born in 1946 and raised in Amami Oshima of Kagoshima Prefecture, Sakujo began her artistic career only ten years ago. She admits her inspiration comes from her love of the natural beauty of the island, the people and its culture. Although small in physical stature, some of her oil paintings are “larger than life” with large, bold strokes. She firmly believes that there are “spirits” that draws her to subjects such as the “Gajimaru trees," some dating 300 - 400 years old. The dark colors of the huge trees with their massive branches gives way to a spot of brightly-colored material, symbolizing the burst of true expression of strong emotions among suppressed silent feelings. Her subjects are people (she had several self portraits), flowers/trees and landscapes. She’s painted over eighty paintings thus far. Presently, she attends Osaka University, taking courses in fine arts. She’s hopeful she can attend schools here in the U.S. as well to further her exhibitions throughout this country.
Here are some comments from OAA members that viewed Sakujo’s paintings.
Chogi Higa: “The Gagimaru tree, it is said, possesses godly spirits that live within. It is known as the 'sacred tree.' Some paintings exhibit the darkness of the Amami Oshima Gunto. A spark of bright color/light represents the deep burning passion of a woman’s love. The women of the island weren’t able to express themselves in words, so they used symbols of her love such as a piece of 'hanazumi tisaji' (towel or self-woven cloth) to give to her lover.”
Ethel Asato: “One can use their own imagination when looking at her paintings. Each time you look at it, you see different images.”
Helene Shimane: “Each painting is different to different people. It depends on one’s own personal experiences.”
Jane H. Kuniyoshi: “Upon listening to the significance of the Gagimaru tree, I couldn’t help but feel the strong emotion of the darkness of the immense tree with twisting branches and then, a bright, colorful piece of cloth representing the spirits of hope and joy among hopelessness and despair”.
Tomiko Akamine: “Artist Sakujo is a remarkable person, expressing so much meaning in her paintings. For instance, when viewing the great gajimaru tree, I felt its strong spirit and I was overcome with emotion.” It’s foreseen that this multi-talented artist, Taeko Sakujo, will continue to succeed in future exhibitions.
OAA, Inc. wishes her well! (Jane H. Kuniyoshi)
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