Beyond 

Editor: This is "Beyond," a monoprint in ink by Toko Shinoda. There's this striking contrast between the rectangular block of faded grey and the dynamic black lines slashing across it. It feels very...Zen, almost like a meditative Koan. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The Zen aspect is insightful. Beyond the immediate visual impact, I perceive a profound engagement with the legacy of calligraphy, especially in East Asian traditions. Notice how Shinoda uses the brushstroke, loaded with intention, to depict what could be construed as fractured or emergent forms. The "beyond" of the title may refer to a transcendence from recognizable forms, or perhaps a journey beyond the material world, indicated by these symbolic ink traces. Do you notice any particular symbols emerging for you? Editor: The lines remind me of bamboo, or maybe even the masts of ships... broken, perhaps? Is she referencing something specific, or is that my own interpretation coloring my view? Curator: Both are likely true! Symbols resonate differently depending on the viewer’s own history and cultural memory. Bamboo, with its resilience, or broken masts suggesting vulnerability… These are powerful readings. I suggest considering also how emptiness – the stark white space – serves not just as background but as a vital element carrying meaning in East Asian art and philosophy. How might this play into your reading? Editor: I guess the emptiness emphasizes the potential for renewal after the "break." Like a void pregnant with possibilities. Curator: Exactly! Shinoda’s work is deceptively simple. Its power lies in inviting us to fill that emptiness with our own interpretations, our own experiences, yet guided by the enduring symbols she employs. It makes one think. Editor: I never thought about abstraction being so rooted in symbolism, but now it seems obvious. Thank you!