Ai Takaoka / Calligrapher Kyoto

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One

The character I devoted my life to writing.
The one and only, 一.

I will die once I finish writing this.
Sometimes crying, and at other times triumphing, all while feeling that
I will die once I write this,
I wrote it again and again. And there was a connection.

After starting in fear, what I felt when I overcame that mountain
Was gratitude.

As a result of sensing death,
I was able to see and appreciate my life up to that point.
When I saw it, strength came gushing forth.

What does “living” look like to me?
I want to express its utmost limits.

Before I chose my current path,
I had exhausted myself in the act of living.
Separated from my sense of self, my spirit and body had collapsed.

At that time when living was very painful,
One thing saved me.
That was calligraphy.

That is the reason why
I want to use my life to convey
The importance, strength, kindness, and weakness
Of living and being true to yourself.

Individuality, myself, yourself.
I want to always be as “one”.
Just one existence, the one and only existence.

Every person has potential.
For this reason I won’t give up on me. I won’t give up on myself. 
~~~

I began to ask myself a second time when I had to choose one artwork
From among those I wrote with my body and soul.

When I did that, I had the sensation of
Being called instead by my artwork.

Called by my artwork,
This is the character that I ultimately decided on.

Before I had chosen my current path, I had exhausted my energy and strength
for living. I had become separated from myself, my spirit and body had collapsed. At that time when living was very painful, one thing saved me.
This was calligraphy.
From now on, I want to use my time to convey the importance of strength, gentleness and sometimes weakness in one’s life.
Individuality, myself, yourself.
I always want to be part of this “oneness”.
One life, the one and only presence in the world.
Everyone has their own set of opportunities.
For this reason I won’t give up on me.
I won’t give up on myself.

Work Data

Production year2016
Materials/Specificationsframe: wood / calligraphy paper
Size78×103cm
Paper size63×90cm
Calligraphy stylewriting brush
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