By email this morning I received word from the Tolman Collection gallery in Tokyo that the Abstract Expressionist, Toko Shinoda, (an amazing sorceress with sumi-e and huge influence on me) has departed the earthly realm.
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| Joy 1991 |
One would be expecting news such as this at some time, given that Toko Shinoda was 107 years old (she would have turned 108 on March 28th) --but still there is a certain sadness for, like Norman Tolman wrote, "I almost thought that she would always be with us".
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| New Dimension 1983 |
No doubt, throughout the coming days and weeks tributes and remembrances will coming in from all over the world. Mine will be a re-visitation of an article I wrote that first appeared in my Journal of Ravenseyrie and I will repost here in the Ravenseyrie Studio & Art Gallery blog.
I have numerous exhibition catalogues of Toko Shinoda's works that I purchased through the Tolman Collection and have held them close to me as treasures over the years - looking at them over and over and over (falling into them deeply each time).
The images within the pages of the catalogues I have used as a sort of visual oracle - sitting with an herbal tipple in the evening, opening to a random page and letting the experience of the artwork take possession of me. To view Toko Shinoda's works is to come under a powerful sublime spell - which is why I refer to her as a sumi-e sorceress. I like being under her spell! It never fails to liberate and empower my senses.
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| Chrysalis A, B, C 1980 |
The world was graced to host for so many years a human being as authentic and enchanting as was Toko Shinoda. She mingles now with the constellations while her many works continue to vibrate with her strength and determination and sophistication.
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| Mystic Journey 1982 |
Thank you to Norman Tolman for his long devotion to and exquisite representation of Toko Shinoda's work. Since the 1970's their symbiotic relationship has provided immeasurable inspiration to art lovers worldwide - with little old me here on an island in Canada being one of them.
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| Festival 2000 sumi and cannabar ink on silvery ground on canvas |