Australian born artist Merissa
“Inkslinger” Walker lived in Tokyo, Japan between 1991 and 1998.
While there she began studying Japanese calligraphy, or Shodou.
After several months it became evident that she would never master
the thousands of written characters, so early in 1992, she threw
away the book and began writing in English.
“I was still practicing all the
traditional brush strokes and trying to absorb style tips from the
Great Chinese Masters, but my passion
lay in the exploration of what I termed 'cultural cross-dressing'.At my first solo exhibition in 1993, a few Japanese
marvelled their way through the gallery, without realizing
everything was in English.They had seen abstract Shodou, and assumed it was
simply too arty to comprehend - a common experience at
contemporary calligraphy shows - and the only experience most
Westerners have of Asian calligraphy.I realized then that my creative task was to present
alphabet to English speakers, so they could take on the same
deciphering challenge that Asian audiences enjoy when viewing
calligraphy in their own language.”
Inkslinger original
calligraphies, scrolls, prints and multi-media artworks can be
found in private and corporate collections throughout the world.
Walker exhibits in the US and Asia with the group Art of Ink in
America, and is represented in Singapore by
Asian Art
Options. Michael Nagy Fine Art in Potts Point, Sydney is her
local gallery. The studio and offices are located in Sydney, and
are open any time by appointment.
