My exhibition at the Craole Gallery in Niigata, Japan was the most memorable experience of my artistic life. Encouraged by my daughter-in-law's Japanese family, I arranged to hold an exhibition of my work at the gallery, an old geisha house with a very traditional atmosphere. The week before my flight to Niigata the tragedy of the earthquake and tsunami shocked all of us and it was a very worrying time. Niigata is on the west coast of Japan, the opposite side to the tsunami area, but everyone was worried about radiation and we listened intently to all the expert information on the television. The day before our flight we decided to go ahead with the trip and the exhibition. I am so glad I made that decision as we were made so welcome by family and friends who even arranged a local television company to do a piece about me and my exhibition. This meant I was followed around by a camera man whilst hanging work, and had to give an interview with the help of my daughter-in-law Shoko as translater. The opening was so memorable for me and I enjoyed meeting all the people who brought many gifts of flowers and sweets. I also did a painting demonstration and managed to answer questions with Shoko's help. It was very well attended and I sold several paintings. The collages which included little pieces of English papers such as maps, music and even tea packets, were particularly popular.
The photos show me and Geoff with some of the visitors to the exhibition.
The Opening
The demonstration
"A Little Piece of England" one of the popular paintings that sold.