On Contemporary Visual Culture

paperspaNOpTIKON

december 2009

Tnki Muym:Modn Jn Cllighy

Contributors

J.r. Obon, ph.D.Dtmnt of Viul Communictionamicn Univity in DubiMclo Guimã Lim, ph.D.Dtmnt of Viul Communictionamicn Univity in Dubi

Intviw with Tnki Muym:Modn Jn Cllighy

Mclo Guimã Lim & J.r. Obonenglih Tnltion: T. Kto

Artist and calligrapher Tankei Maruyama visited the AmericanUniversity in Dubai on two occasions in 2009. In May sheconducted a workshop on Japanese calligraphy at the VisualCommunication Program. She returned in November or a secondworkshop preceding an exhibition o her calligraphy works atthe Rotunda Gallery, AUD.The ollowing interview is intended as a short introduction to theartist and her art. She discusses here briey issues related to hercreative and proessional path, including the education o the artist,the practice o calligraphy and the present day conditions o the art ocalligraphy in Japan.Panoptikon: Where are you rom? Tell us about your personalbackground. How did your early experiences, the place youcome rom, and the context you grew up in inuence your careerchoices?

Tankei Maruyama: I come rom Tokyo, Japan. I started practicing calligraphyat the age o three (3) rather naturally under the amily surroundingswhere my ather appreciated Japanese calligraphy. During the Japanese’srapid economic growth era o the 1960’s, it was rather common orchildren to learn one o various cultural activities and sports exercisessuch as Calligraphy, Kendo (Japanese encing), Judo, Piano and Abacus.In this background, I continued Calligraphy and have continued my practice without a pause. My present state is a result o these continuouseorts and volition. My studying o Calligraphy was a chancecoincidence. It may have been my destiny.

P: What is your proessional and artistic training?

TM: I studied Japanese Language & Literature at Nihon University as well asCalligraphic Arts. I also studied various Japanese cultural practices suchas the tea ceremony, ower arrangement, and ceramics alongside mycontinuous daily calligraphy exercise.