SOZAN MATSUBA

1933	Born in Kumamoto prefecture.
1967	Takes part for several years at the Nihon Minami Gain Exhibition where he obtains the Culture prize, the Minami Gain Prize and the President Prize.
1996	Takes part at the World Trade Center Art Net (New York) where he obtains the New York Prize.

Many of Matsuba’s works have been shown both in and outside Japan, and have received many prices. He was the vice-president of the Ibaraki City Museum Association and in 2000 he became the visiting professor at Dickinson University, U.S.A.

Matsuba drew the TSURU logo. Many of His works are abstract, they are made to excite your imagination. “When looking at pictures you should feel them rather than think them”.

He started calligraphy as a hobby while his actual work was involved in the construction business. He was attracted to hieroglyphs and was taught by Odo Nishida, president of Nihon Syunsyu Syogeiin.

He doesn’t paint on the whole paper. He dynamically puts ink on Japanese paper, called Washi, as if it had been randomly spilled over. The movement and energy of his monochrome paintings have made a very strong impression overseas. “I want to paint things that are going to disappear and break.”

He wants to send a message to the people who forgot to listen to their feelings.