- Vermilion from the Past／2010
Toko Shinoda
篠田桃紅
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Toko Shinoda (1913 – 2021) was born in Dalian, China. From the age of five, he became familiar with calligraphy through his father's teaching, and after completing his studies in Tokyo, he began teaching calligraphy. In 1940, he held his first solo exhibition at Hatoido in Ginza. Eventually, he felt the limitations of being bound by the "meaning" and "form" of traditional letters, and aspired to free expression that transcended the boundaries of language.
In 1956, at the age of 43, he moved to the United States alone. His desire to express himself beyond cultural boundaries came to fruition in solo exhibitions in Boston and New York. It attracted famous cultural figures such as Walter Gropius, and was highly regarded for its unique style, which fused Western abstract expressionism with Japan avant-garde writing. After returning to Japan, he provided works to temples, public facilities, and spaces related to the Imperial Family. He deepened his abstract expression through ink, printmaking, and mixed media, and continued to create even after he was over 100 years old. In his later years, he also worked on delicate and polished expressions using gold and silver leaf.
Shinoda's works are held by major museums in Japan and abroad, as well as by collectors around the world, including the Rockefeller family.
As a pioneer of abstract art using ink, Momobeni Shinoda left a deep mark on contemporary art not only in Japan but also in the world.
Toko Shinoda (1913 - 2021) was born in Dalian, China. Guided by her father, she began studyingcalligraphy at the age of five. After completing her education in Tokyo, she began teaching calligraphy and, in 1940, held her first solo exhibition at Kyukyodo in Ginza, Tokyo. Over time,she began to feel limited by the “meaning” and “form” of traditional characters and sought a freer mode of expression beyond the framework of language.
In 1956, at the age of 43, she traveled alone to the United States in pursuit of artistic freedom beyond cultural boundaries. Her exhibitions in Boston and New York attracted prominent cultural figures such as Walter Gropius, and her unique style—fusing Western abstract expressionism with avant-garde Japanese calligraphy—was widely acclaimed.
After returning to Japan, she created large-scale works for temples, public spaces, and institutions affiliated with the Imperial Household. Through sumi ink pain tings, prints, and mixed media, she further deepened her abstract expression. Even beyond the age of 100, she continued to create,eventually exploring refined expressions using gold and silver leaf.
Her works have been collected by major museums in Japan and abroad, as well as by distinguished collectors, including the Rockefeller family. As a pioneer of abstract art through sumi ink, Toko Shinoda left a profound legacy not only in Japanese art, but in the global contemporary art world.
Momobeni Shinoda _CV (JP)
Toko Shinoda_CV(EN)
In 1956, at the age of 43, he moved to the United States alone. His desire to express himself beyond cultural boundaries came to fruition in solo exhibitions in Boston and New York. It attracted famous cultural figures such as Walter Gropius, and was highly regarded for its unique style, which fused Western abstract expressionism with Japan avant-garde writing. After returning to Japan, he provided works to temples, public facilities, and spaces related to the Imperial Family. He deepened his abstract expression through ink, printmaking, and mixed media, and continued to create even after he was over 100 years old. In his later years, he also worked on delicate and polished expressions using gold and silver leaf.
Shinoda's works are held by major museums in Japan and abroad, as well as by collectors around the world, including the Rockefeller family.
As a pioneer of abstract art using ink, Momobeni Shinoda left a deep mark on contemporary art not only in Japan but also in the world.
Toko Shinoda (1913 - 2021) was born in Dalian, China. Guided by her father, she began studyingcalligraphy at the age of five. After completing her education in Tokyo, she began teaching calligraphy and, in 1940, held her first solo exhibition at Kyukyodo in Ginza, Tokyo. Over time,she began to feel limited by the “meaning” and “form” of traditional characters and sought a freer mode of expression beyond the framework of language.
In 1956, at the age of 43, she traveled alone to the United States in pursuit of artistic freedom beyond cultural boundaries. Her exhibitions in Boston and New York attracted prominent cultural figures such as Walter Gropius, and her unique style—fusing Western abstract expressionism with avant-garde Japanese calligraphy—was widely acclaimed.
After returning to Japan, she created large-scale works for temples, public spaces, and institutions affiliated with the Imperial Household. Through sumi ink pain tings, prints, and mixed media, she further deepened her abstract expression. Even beyond the age of 100, she continued to create,eventually exploring refined expressions using gold and silver leaf.
Her works have been collected by major museums in Japan and abroad, as well as by distinguished collectors, including the Rockefeller family. As a pioneer of abstract art through sumi ink, Toko Shinoda left a profound legacy not only in Japanese art, but in the global contemporary art world.
Momobeni Shinoda _CV (JP)
Toko Shinoda_CV(EN)
