What a whirlwind : First Solo Show @ Gallery h2o Kyoto. 初個展が無事に終わりました。

It's been a week or so since my first solo exhibition wrapped up at h2o Gallery in Kyoto. What an incredible two weeks it was! I spent most of the time at the gallery, talking with visitors, explaining my work and just generally speaking a lot of Japanese!

ギャラリーh2oでの初個展が無事に終わってからほぼ一週間が過ぎました。素敵な経験でした。期間中、大体在廊して、客さんと喋ったり、作品を説明したり、すごい日本語の勉強になりました！

The entrance to Gallery h2o leads onto a long corridor. The gallery's  trademark is to hang a different noren curtain each time they are holding an exhibition. This was the first time they'd had an artist who dyed their own noren!

ギャラリーh2oは展覧会を開いている時、いつも違うのれんを掛けます。せっかく染織作家ので、自分ののれんを作りました。自分ののれんを染めた作家って始めてそうです。

View of the main gallery space. 

All the works were completed in the last 2 years whilst a Research Student
全部の作品はこの二年間（研究生だった間）に作ったものです。

I also had washi postcards and fans out for sale. I sold the majority of them!
染めたハガキや団扇も販売していました。結構売りました！

The Japanese-style room off to one side was perfect for this scroll piece and the Lorikeet Lacquerware platter that I've shown you before.　茶室の床の間に作品がぴったり入りました。掛軸のような作品と前に紹介した漆器。 

Lots of people actually showed up for the opening that was organised very last minute, yay! オープニングに沢山の友達や学生が来てくれてうれしかった！

Look who else came along! My Dad happened to be in Japan on a bicycle touring adventure of sorts and was in Kyoto just in time for the opening. It was so nice to have him there. それでこの人も！父です。ちょうど自転車の旅行で日本に来ていて、京都に居るにあわせてオープニングパーティーをしました。父さんが来れてなんて嬉しかったです。

This is a little teaser! crew from MBS (Mainichi Broadcasting) came to film me and my exhibition. More details soon!!
これはティーザーです。MBSの人が展覧会の様子を取材に来て、インタビューもしたんです。近いうちに詳しいことをアップするので、楽しみにしてください！

The experience of talking to all different kinds of people about my work was very rewarding. I took away all sorts of interesting comments and ideas and I feel like my work was very well received. I think most people grasped what I was trying to achieve which is very encouraging. It gives me the enthusiasm to regroup and start making new work all over again!