Christine Flint Sato, sumi ink painter

Christine studied ink painting under Chinese ink painter Li Geng. She copied the works of master ink painters of the past and developed proficiency in their brush strokes (as all painters who left their mark in history did.) She subsequently went beyond her training to forge her own unique style which she continues to develop to this day, challenging herself to create new artistic expressions. I imagine that painters in the Edo period and before must have been just like her.

From Sesshu, a leading Japanese ink painter of the Muromachi period (1336-1573) to the present day, ink paintings (suiboku-ga) have continued to be created in a continuous stream. The origins of the art form lie in China, after which it came to Japan. Antique paintings may seem old-fashioned, but we should not forget that they were the most advanced of modern art works in their day.

So what is contemporary ink painting like? When we think about it,
in contrast to today, in the Edo period (1603-1867), when there was no electricity, works were painted to be displayed to their advantage in a unique space called a tokonoma (alcove) with the brightness of sunlight reflected from shoji screens and soft candlelight inside the room. Therefore, if we try to imitate these paintings today, they would not suit the modern age. It is necessary to devise ways of painting and displaying artwork that are suited to modern ways of life and exhibition environments. On the other hand, there are works that shine brightly regardless of the time or environment, due to the overwhelming energy of the work. Now, what kind of work does Christine produce as a contemporary ink painter?

In Japan, before the country began to interact with Western culture, ink painting (sumi-e) was the only choice open to a painter. But now it is different. With so many different painting materials available, I can’t help but look forward to seeing what will be created by choosing and pursuing the simplest of materials, sumi ink and brush (although of course, a wide range of colors and expressions can be produced in a single sumi ink artwork).

If my store is still around 100 years from now, my descendants will display Christine’s works, which will be antiques by then, as those by “one of the representative ink painters of the early 21st Century” and introduce their charm to customers with the comment: “This person was a friend of our ancestor.” I hope that this will happen.

Yamazoe Ryo  Representative Director Shogaya Yamazoe.inc, Kyoto