YORKTON - Saltcoats artist Hanna Yokozawa Farquharson is having a new show at pARTners Gallery in Yorkton.
The show -- Gaia Symphony & Light from Water -- has selections from two previous exhibitions,” explained the artist.
“They are made with antique silk kimono fabric,” she said.
“Gaia Symphony invites the viewer to listen to the symphony played by Gaia, our planet earth. Viewing this presentation of Gaia with our eyes, we are enabled to hear the music of Gaia with our ears and ultimately our inner being.
“This is related to one of Japanese called ÓQÒô (Kan-Non). Kannon means “See the sounds.” Kannon is a Bodhisattva who sees the sounds, listens to the voice of the universe, and conveys it to the ground.”
For the artist the ‘medium’ has a very personal connection.
“The works in this exhibition use antique kimonos including my mother's kimono,” explained Yokozawa Farquharson.
“Light from Water involves production of a series of embroidered representations of crystallized water drawing on the work of Japanese scientist/author, Dr. Masaru Emoto.
“Water is seen as a living, communicating, inter-relating reality. Water is sacred in many cultures and a body of work showing the spiritual/sacred geometry of water would show the emphasis upon the beauty of nature and the beauty of microworlds.
“I believe that by working with antique kimono fabric and using thread from my mother’s kimono obi (Sashi), I will be able to depict the beauty of water in this medium. Traditional Japanese kimono garments display that Japanese craftsmanship which have a gemlike quality when held in your hands. The materials craftsmen wove long ago make me feel humble and blessed.”
Yokozawa Farquharson of course adds to the works with her own skills.
“I am using a technique called seed-stitching for this work. I seed the light threads on/within the fabric,” she said. “May seeds of light begin to rise in viewers’ heart and soul.”
For Yokozawa Farquharson art just came naturally.
“I think I was in an environment of making things from an early age,” she told Yorkton This Week. “Because my parents were busy, my older brothers made creative crafts with certain materials, I watched them and we would make and draw things together.
“Many of you write poems and novels, make music, play musical instruments, work with wood and soil, grow flowers, bake pastries and breads, making meals and so on. I consider all of these things to be art, and I do not separate hobbies from art. Everyone creates something in their daily lives, so I consider everyone an artist and a creator.”
Today, Yokozawa Farquharson’s focuses on art using fabric.
“I think cloth is a wonderful medium that allows us to put our heart and soul into the fibers, while at the same time having the convenience and freedom to change its shape and expression in any way we want,” she said. “Depending on how you use it, you can create 3D objects and enjoy the interweaving of shadows and light.”
With her pARTners show Yokozawa Farquharson hopes viewers ‘feel’ her art.
“I think you can see the sound of quiet air flowing and feel the water flowing through your body resonate and echo each other,” she said.
While noting she likes all the works in the show a couple did come to mind when asked for her personal favourite including Prairie Summer and Prairie Winter.
“I believe that moving to Canada has awakened something that was dormant inside of me by allowing me to experience the majestic and beautiful scenery and to surrender to the flow of life,” said the artist. “This work represents the view of winter and summer sunrises at The Anderson Lake in Saltcoats, where I live.”
While choosing a favourite was difficult explaining her inspiration was easier.
“The common theme is to heal the earth,” said Yokozawa Farquharson.
“Gaia Symphony represents the sound of the earth's living creatures. And this is a collaboration with Agnes Martin who was born in Macklin, Sask, one of the greatest painters of the 20th century in the world. The idea for these works came to me when I was trying to figure out why Agnes continued to paint Grid Lines.”
And Light From Water “was inspired by the beautiful photographs of water crystals studied by the late Dr. Masaru Emoto. This work showed me with my own eyes that the micro world contains various messages to mankind.
“The two artworks share the vibrations (HADO) of the desire to help heal the earth.
“Both of these projects were able to receive the grants from SK Arts.”
The show will hang at the gallery in the Yorkton Public Library through until Oct. 30, with a reception and artist’s talk Saturday, Oct. 1, at 2:00 p.m.
In addition, Yokozawa Farquharson noted she will be holding an online presentation called ‘Message from Water’ with Michiko Hayashi from EMOTO PEACE PROJECT at the Culture Days Yorkton event Sunday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., connecting Japan and Saskatchewan.
Michiko Hayashi is the Global Director and Ambassador of the ‘EMOTO PEACE PROJECT’.
Michiko worked as an administrative personal assistant to Dr. Masaru Emoto for 11 years until his transition in 2014, explained Yokozawa Farquharson. He was the founder of the Emoto Peace Project, the pioneer of HADO (vibration), researcher of water, and author of world best-seller “The Message from Water,” “The Hidden Messages in Water,” etc.
Hayashi is the successor of his legacy. She will talk about how water is powerful connected to consciousness through MESSAGE FROM WATER. The children’s book “The Message from Water” has been translated into 34 languages. She is the author of anthologies “Womb to Thrive” and “Love Letter to Water”. She speaks Japanese, English and Spanish.
There will also be a free event called ‘Heal the Earth’ at one of the Yorkton Arts Council's Culture Days Yorkton events, an in-person event combining the performance of crystal singing bowls and light language healing Saturday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. You can make a reservation if interested in this event at
