Toko Shinoda, one of Japan’s best known contemporary artists has celebrated her 100th birthday this year. Her limited edition lithographs and original paintings will be exhibited at Stanford Art Spaces on the Stanford University campus from August 23 – October 17.

Her work is found in major public and private collections throughout the world. One of her pieces will be included in a Japanese art exhibit in August at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She can claim the title of being Their Majesties’ favorite artist, since her works grace Imperial walls in palaces in Tokyo and Kyoto. She has had many famous commissions, including the Zojoji Temple mural and an immense wall dimensional piece in the International Conference Hall in Kyoto.

Toko’s work is known for a certain sense of tranquility that combines a refined minimalism with a dynamic abstract energy. Her use of silver, gold, and platinum leaf, as well as hand-made Chinese and Japanese paper, with treasured sumi ink accentuated with vermillion ink from Chinese Ming dynasty pigments have made her work instantly recognizable. She is among the widest collected artist now working in Japan.

Toko’s strokes are meant to suggest images and vitality of nature. She says, “Certain forms float up in my mind’s eye. Aromas, a blowing breeze, a rain-drenched gust of wind … the air in motion, my heart in motion. I try to capture these vague, evanescent images of the instant and put them into vivid form.”

More about Toko Shinoda can be found on many internet sites, including the following links: