JAPAN
Photos courtesy of Miho Onodera

Photos courtesy of Miho Onodera ()

A Japanese employee at Yokosuka Naval Base is taking her post-work artistic talents to Tokyo for her solo exhibition in August.

By day, Miho Onodera works as an asset manager at the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Yokosuka, and in her free time, she is a copperplate artist.

Also known as etching, copperplate printing is a time-consuming art form unchanged since its inception in Europe during the 15th century. Though not as colorful as her previous medium, Onodera said copperplate printing sparks her passion for art.

Starting Aug. 15, Onodera’s “Yoru no Shibafu de (on the lawn at night),” featuring 30 copperplate prints, will be on display at the Dazzle Gallery in Aoyama.

The exhibit incorporates everyday scenes with animated animal motifs. Onodera said she utilizes manga-like techniques for her animal depictions to represent a diversity of races and genders.

“As a Japanese artist, I wanted to apply something a Japanese-like element to my works,” Onodera said of her manga stylization in the prints, adding that her experience on base has also helped inspire her art. In turn, she uses her artistic talent to contribute to various command events by providing colorful signboards and illustrations.

Onodera grew up in Yokosuka City and lives there with her husband and twin daughters. Despite her busy schedule at work and at home, Onodera still makes time for her artistic pursuits, including working on her art before her morning commute to the base.

Another source of inspiration and art discipline is Onodera’s mother, who she said is a traditional Japanese miniature artist herself. Onodera was moved to study art in school, pursue watercolors and, eventually, turned to copperplate prints.

Onodera is pursuing her dream to have a solo show someday in New York, and with this art show in Aoyama, she is one step closer. In the fall, some of her works will be on display in a group exhibition at a small coffee shop in Brooklyn, Onodera said.

Don’t miss Onodera’s solo exhibit running Aug. 15-20 in Tokyo.

Things to know

Miho Onodera’s Yoru no Shibafu de (on the lawn at night)

Dates: Aug. 15-20

Location: gallery DAZZLE

Address: 2-12-20-101 Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-3746-4670

Hours: noon – 7 p.m. (Aug. 20, noon - 5 p.m.)

Admission: Free

Gallery website

Author: Miho Onodera

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