Amin Abbas
Fumika Tanaka is a Japanese artist who is specialized with the Ink Painting “Ametsuchi” Art, which in “Suibokuga Ametsuchi” is “amedo” and has the meaning of “water = rain” and “earth = ink” and “heaven and earth.”
Her art expresses joy and prayer through drawings, connecting all beings – animals, planets, spirits, humans – with a greater life force.
Blending traditional Japanese ink techniques with Western style, Tanaka work exudes tranquility and emotion. She wants viewers to feel nature’s connections.
Beyond personal expression, Tanaka has shaped business visuals – websites, logos, illustrations, products. Art’s visual power enhances brands.
Tanaka’s art aims to revere and love nature, bridging cultures, celebrating coexistence. She seeks to evoke inner dialogues, offering solace in nature and enriching society.
In an interview with Arab News Japan, Tanaka shared her inspiration for art, she said: “My first sense of beauty came from the interiors of my house and my mother & fashion. Although my mother did not have a special profession, she had a wonderful sense of beauty, and being surrounded by these things growing up has greatly influenced my interest in art. I also loved animals as a child and memorized all the animal books I could find.”
About the establishment of his career as an artist, Tanaka said: “I have been drawing since I was a little girl, but I didn’t really start learning seriously until I was 23 years old. I decided to become an artist because I wondered what kind of work I could enjoy and work on for 8 hours or more every day for the rest of my life and put my life on the line.”
“My first work was a picture book production. After becoming a professional, I worked on illustrations, including the main visual for a website and illustrations for a novel, which I continue to do in parallel,” she added.
About the challenges that she faced during her projects, Tanaka said: “Not a problem, but I worked on a “Zen” -inspired logo project, and to represent its serene worldview, I continued to meditate, drawing about 1,000 circles and selecting the best of them.”
About her visit to the Middle East, Tanaka said: “Other than transit, my participation at ADIHEX 2023 this month was my first time. A friend of mine visited Abu Dhabi about 10 years ago, and I had always been interested in the area after hearing about the beautiful nature and the peaceful people. During my stay at the exhibition, I was able to glimpse the beauty of the culture of everyone in the Middle East. I was also impressed by the cheerful and positive attitude of the people and their kindness to others, and I strongly wished to have a chance to live here.”
Regarding her upcoming projects, Tanaka said: “I have been commissioned by a Japanese publisher to draw 38 dragon-themed cards. They will be released next year.”