THE WAY TO NORTHERN CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Charity Exhibition

6 - 10th April 2011
RGI Kelly Gallery & Blair Thomson’s Studio

 

Laurel Casjens, Stuart Kerr, Keiko Mukaide, Campbell Sandilands, Blair Thomson

 

This charity exhibition of Japan inspired artists raised towards £6000 (70% of sales were donated) for the Japanese Red Cross and Japan Society Appeal and aimed to send a strong message of support to Japan. Consul General of Japan Mr. Tarahara and RGI President Gordon Macpherson officially opened the exhibition on the 6th April.

 

 

 

RGI Kelly Gallery

 

- Wednesday 6th: 10.30am - 7pm

Official opening 11am, Sushi served by MacCallums of Troon

Informal opening 6 - 7pm, Whisky served by anCnoc

Green tea served all day by Brewhaha, home baking and beer served by Black Sparrow.

 

- Thursday 7th: 10.30am - 5pm

 

Continued at Blair Thomson's studio

www.blairthomson.com

 

- Friday 8th: 10.30am - 5pm

- Saturday 9th: 10.30am - 5pm

Saturday get-together with demonstrations by the artists from 1pm, including special guest Norman Sutton-Hibbert on Japanese woodblock printing. (Image above.) Sushi served by MacCallums of Troon.

- Sunday 10th: 12 - 5pm

 

 

Stuart Kerr

 

Keiko Mukaide

 

Top: General Consul Mr. Tarahara with Blair Thomson

Bottom: Mr. Tarahara with RGI President Gordon Macpherson

Photo credit: Heather Palmer

A group of artists whose work has been inspired by Japan, is staging an exhibition at a Glasgow gallery to raise money for the stricken country. Artist Blair Thomson came up with the idea for the exhibition which will donate 70% of sales to the Japanese Red Cross to help the people of the Tohoku, the area worst hit by the recent earthquake and tsunami, and also to the Japan Society Appeal.

The exhibition runs at the RGI Kelly over 6 and 7 April (day & evening) before moving to Blair’s West Regent Street studio where it continues until Sunday 10 April. As a painter and Artist Council Member of The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Blair has exhibited in Japan twice in the last two years, including representing the UK at the four yearly ART/X/TOYAMA international show in 2010. Other participating artists include Campbell Sandilands, Japanese glass artist, Keiko Mukaide, American photographer Laurel Casjens, and illustrator Stuart Kerr.

“As we have all spent time in Japan, it has had a strong influence on our work,” explains Blair. “This exhibition is a celebration and general message of support to Japan, whose art, culture and environment (city and landscape) has made such an impact on us, as well as reflecting the wider connection between our two countries. We felt that rather than doing nothing, we could turn our feelings around and bring people together to raise money and offer support. We really want to help the Tohoku survivors. We also have a lot of friends and family there, who if not directly affected are fearful and depressed, so we are sending them a positive supporting, colourful message from the UK.”

Many thanks to the sponsors and also those who have made personal donations.

Please check the Japanese Embassy UK's photostream for images of other events:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/embassy_of_japan_uk/