Calligraphy and Sumi-e Lecture and Demonstration Event “The Japanese Art of Calligraphy (Shodo) and Painting (Sumi-e) – A Journey in Art from East to West”
2025/11/27
On November 27th, the Embassy of Japan held a lecture and demonstration event entitled "The Japanese Art of Calligraphy (Shodo) and Painting (Sumi-e) – A Journey in Art from East to West" at the Embassy’s Information and Cultural Centre. The lecture was presented by Ms. Heather MacDonald, a calligraphy and sumi-e instructor at the Ottawa School of Art, which offers a variety of fine arts diploma programs as well as short courses and workshops.
Deputy Head of Mission Hideaki Ishii opened the event by giving a speech in which he explained that sumi-e is a uniquely Japanese art form that captures the essence and spirit of a subject with minimal brushstrokes.
In her lecture, Ms. MacDonald discussed the history of calligraphy and sumi-e, the tools and techniques used in sumi-e, and the influence of Japanese art on Western artists. After that, Ms. MacDonald conducted a demonstration of sumi-e. The process of creating sumi-e was projected on a screen, and participants watched intently as she demonstrated brush techniques, line drawing, and how to create gradations and a sense of depth by controlling the intensity of the ink. After the lecture, a lively question-and-answer session took place, and many participants expressed that it had deepened their understanding of traditional Japanese culture.
Ms. MacDonald's calligraphy and sumi-e works
Deputy Head of Mission Hideaki Ishii opened the event by giving a speech in which he explained that sumi-e is a uniquely Japanese art form that captures the essence and spirit of a subject with minimal brushstrokes.
In her lecture, Ms. MacDonald discussed the history of calligraphy and sumi-e, the tools and techniques used in sumi-e, and the influence of Japanese art on Western artists. After that, Ms. MacDonald conducted a demonstration of sumi-e. The process of creating sumi-e was projected on a screen, and participants watched intently as she demonstrated brush techniques, line drawing, and how to create gradations and a sense of depth by controlling the intensity of the ink. After the lecture, a lively question-and-answer session took place, and many participants expressed that it had deepened their understanding of traditional Japanese culture.
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| Remarks by Ishii, Deputy Head of Mission |
Ms. MacDonald explains the history of calligraphy and sumi-e |
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| Ms. MacDonald demonstrating sumi-e painting | |
Ms. MacDonald's calligraphy and sumi-e works