Francis Antony Kodankandath

Francis Antony Kodankandath is a self-taught painter based in Thrissur, Kerala, India. He began to paint inspired by his late father, who exposed him to local masterpieces from a very early age. Kodankandah embraces traditional materials and techniques from Asia–such as khadi and origami–combined with Western mediums, as a powerful commentary on the importance of maintaining harmonious communication and peace across cultures. Originally employed by Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggles of India, khadi is a hand-spun natural fiber, which the artist utilizes as a painting surface, after treating it with indigenous techniques. The cloth is stretched between two rolls and painted with acrylic paint. In another recent series, Kodankandath creates origami boats with handmade paper and applies them unfolded onto the canvas. The triangle shape is ubiquitous in his narratives, as a symbol of the dynamic equilibrium between God, the human race, and nature, and the divine forces that govern the universe. His work attests to the transformative power of creation while evoking a sense of unity and equilibrium in a complex world.

Kodankandath has held 55 solo exhibitions in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Among the most notable are the NY United Nations headquarters (USA); the Japanese International Cultural Cooperation Agency (Tokyo, Japan); the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (Italy); the University de-Joseph Fourier (Paris); the Newman Centre University of New Orleans (USA). He also exhibited at the London, Florence, and Austria biennials. He was granted the Xth Florence Biennale Medal, the Indian National Akademi Award, and the State Akademi Award.

Application for the Patent of a Paper Boat 1

Mixed media and handmade paper on Kancheepuram Silk 22.5” x 19.5”

Application for the Patent of a Paper Boat 2, 2024

Mixed media and handmade paper on stretched canvas 19.5” x 16”

Application for the Patent of a Paper Boat 3, 2024

Mixed media and handmade paper on Kancheepuram Silk 19.5” x 22”

Application for the Patent of a Paper Boat 4, 2024

Mixed media and handmade paper on handmade paper 19.5” x 22”

Sempu Nakajima is a contemporary Japanese calligraphy artist who is extremely dedicated and deliberate in his practice and art form. As a child, Nakajima encountered an ancient hanging scroll in a chashitsu (tea room) from the late 5th century. The beauty of this piece sparked in him a life-long passion and fascination for traditional Japanese art and culture. He began studying Japanese calligraphy at age 6, and has later deepened his studies and skills in the ancient Japanese art under the master calligrapher Takayoshi Kaneko. Nakajima studied under Takayoshi sensei, a famous Japanese calligrapher who had a strong influence on his style. He has since passed away but was well-known in the calligraphy world in Japan.

Over his career as an artist and calligrapher, Nakajima has developed his skills to create a wholly original style of calligraphy for a contemporary audience. He attempts to break Japanese characters free from their traditional form, while simultaneously respecting their beauty and tradition. He acquires his tools, from brushes to paper to frames, from a local craftsman in Kyoto, to ensure that he uses the finest materials in his work. He finds great purpose in creating truly genuine Japanese works, while also making a contribution to sustaining handcrafted artisanship across Japan.

Of his work, he beautifully wrote, “Each stroke I make is a moment in time that cannot be taken back, there is a great importance that I place on preparing my thoughts and practicing my movements to create perfection in the imperfection. It can be an arduous endeavor, but I find a kind of beauty in this process.”

Peace (Europe), 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper 14” x 17”

In order to create her artworks, Maria Regina Ruiz focuses on a minuscule segment of a photograph, which is usually an inch or a quarter of an inch long. Ruiz pores over this segment in order to magnify it and, in doing so, reveal the allure of detail and the pockets of life that we overlook. Ruiz chooses her subject matter based on what catches her eye and allows her process to guide her forward. Ruiz’s mastery of the technical aspects of painting captures our imagination and allows us to ruminate upon every line and area of color she creates. In fact, her color choices stem from the home she grew up in, which her mother always filled with flowers. Flowers and their naturally vibrant hues recur throughout Ruiz’s work, bringing her back again to her mother.

Ruiz was born in Peru and now lives in Houston, Texas. In addition to her career as a painter, Ruiz is a teacher, and she holds a PhD in History, Literature, and Philosophy. Her art has received recognition at various art shows and galleries and has recently been exhibited at the Diocesan Museum of Salerno (Italy), PAKS Gallery (Munich), and Palazzo Bembo (Venice, Italy). Ruiz is also well-traveled, and her travels provide her insight into the importance of color in various world cultures. She aims for her artwork to foster appreciation for the little things in life, to allow the viewer to see the details of their own life in a different light.