1 - 15 September 2018

Japan Creative Centre (JCC)

Come and experience the charms and diversity of washi through the beauty of classic Japanese paper dolls, as well as how this traditional Japanese hand-made paper, that is inscribed as an UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, can be innovated and be given a new life through creativity and ingenuity which you might never thought of, at Japan Creative Centre (JCC), Embassy of Japan in Singapore! There will also be exclusive washi workshops, not to be missed!

About the Exhibition

Showcasing both the tradition and innovation of Washi, the exhibition will feature a wide range of Japanese Paper Dolls including traditional Japanese folktales such as Momotarō, Issun-bōshi and Kaguyahime, as well as the 12 Chinese Zodiac by artist Mrs. Masako Soeda.

In addition, creative accessories such as butterfly hairpins and earrings folded in origami style using yuzen washi by Singaporean artist Ms. Tan Shu Ying will also be on display.

Furthermore, in collaboration with Mino city, Gifu prefecture – the birthplace of Mino washi, innovative products such as tote bag and table lamp shade that are made using washi will be showcased at the exhibition. Visitors can also feel the different types, thickness and softness of raw washi paper materials at the exhibition.

About Mino washi

Listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2014, the appeal of Mino washi comes from its soft and delicate texture, which is strong and durable, yet evenly thin. The highness of its quality has led to its use in a variety of traditional to everyday items such as sliding shoji doors and mounted paper works. In addition, it is even used in the restoration of cultural assets at the level of national treasure, such as ancient documents and pictures not only in Japan, but around the world. The source of Mino washi is the bountiful nature of the Mino region (Gifu, Japan) and the limpid waters of its Nagara and Itadori rivers.

About the Artists

Mrs. Masako Soeda was very interested in many different types of dolls since young. When in Hawaii, she went under the tutorage of Ms. Teruko Nagata and learnt how to make dolls using washi, after being mesmerised by the beauty of washi paper. It was through these dolls that Mrs. Soeda started contributing towards the friendship cultural exchanges between Japan and Hawaii.

Till date, she has been teaching how to make washi dolls for more than 40 years. Her dolls have also been featured in various solo exhibitions including the Art Gallery at Tokyu Departmental Store, and in 2016, she joined the Japan Expo in Paris, France at the Traditional Cultural Pavilion Wabi-sabi.

Mrs. Soeda believes in giving back to the community and has volunteered to teach both young and old at culture centres and community clubs in Tokyo. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee at Tama City Cultural Association.

Ms. Tan Shu Ying started cultivating her interest in art since young from her parents’ influence. Her mother was always creating something intriguing, such as washi eggs, and her father finds ways to make use of recycled materials to make art, such as cut outs from newspapers to paste on lamps making their own personalised “wayang kulit” (traditional shadow play). She remembered one of the very first origami she has learnt was the tortoise! For her, it is always an adventure to recreate and design crafts as gifts and out of pure curiosity.

To reintroduce traditional arts back to society, she decided to make accessories from origami. Coming from Penang and having Peranakan influences from her amah (grandmother), she also designs Peranakan batik motifs on paper which are usually made using washi.

Details of the Exhibition

Date:

1 - 15 September 2018

Time:

10am - 6pm (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
※We will be open from 10am - 4pm on 15 September 2018 (Saturday)

Venue:

Japan Creative Centre (JCC), Embassy of Japan in Singapore
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372

Admission:

FREE

Workshops

Where is Japan Creative Centre (JCC)?

Is this your first time to Japan Creative Centre? Follow the map below to Japan Creative Centre now.

Getting to Japan Creative Centre
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372
Tel: +65-6737-0434

By Public Bus:
Bus services: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132, 174, 174E, 502, 502A, 502B (Alight in front of Delfi Orchard)
For latest information on bus routes and fares, please refer to SBS Transit.

By the MRT:
You may also take the MRT to the nearest MRT station, Orchard (NS22).
Train fares, travel times and route maps are available on the SMRT website.

Driving to JCC:
Nearest parking is at Orchard Hotel, Delfi Orchard and Orchard Parade Hotel.