worlds within worlds

Name:Blair Shōgen Thomson
Time creatively
active:
since graduation, Glasgow School of Art 2002
Media +
expression:
Shodō calligraphy, Zen teaching and practice, Shakyō Sutra copying, Tenkoku stampmaking, drawing, painting, photography, workshops
Research:MPhil Research Candidate in Japanese Monastic Calligraphy
University of Bristol
Department of Religion and Theology

TRACES OF SHODŌ

Margaret Kerr and Blair Shōgen Thomson

Green Gallery: University of Dundee Botanic Garden
Riverside Drive, Dundee DD2 1QH
30th Nov – 18th Dec 2024

This exhibition shows a series of spontaneous abstract drawings inspired by the flowing and dynamic forms of traditional Japanese Shodō calligraphy, made by Margaret Kerr over the past three years. Alongside these drawings are examples taken from Blair Shōgen Thomson’s regular practice of traditional Shodō. The calligraphy pieces and drawings together describe natural, elemental and poetic themes.

Traces of Shodō flyer

Renga: place and time entwined

5th – 25th November 2023
Green Gallery, Dundee Botanics

This exhibition features work by eight artists who spent an August weekend making art in the Botanics this year.

Our work was inspired by the Japanese concept of Renga. Renga is a form of poetry composed by a group of authors: each contributing their part in a dynamic, unfolding process. It encapsulates the experience of being in a specific place and time.

Exhibition in Japan

Blair participated in the ART/X/TOYAMA international exhibition in Japan in May 2022. ART/X/TOYAMA is a contemporary public exhibition showing artworks from Japanese and international invited artists, and has been held every four years. Blair exhibited a series of twelve photographs as well as two abstract paintings.

ART/X/TOYAMA website

Transparent Fragmentary Nos 1 2 5 6 7 12
mountains-and-waters-no.-216