AYA ITAGAKI began studying brush-work in her native Japan at the age of four and has since become a renowned calligrapher, exhibiting internationally. Aya shows and teaches at the Ava Gallery, NH and the Guilford Craft Center, CT.

Her art work has been changing for the last thirty years along with her life experiences, but her basic philosophy of her life is similar to that which can be found in this haiku by the famous Japanese poet, Basho:

Do not follow in the footsteps of the Ancient great,
Seek what they sought

Biography

Born in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.
Came to Hanover, NH in 1964.
Studied Chinese painting with General Charles Chao in Hanover, NH 1971.
Studied Sho Calligraphy with Bunzo Daimonji, Suisho Ebina, Tane Hanawa, Hanako Kinbara and Haruko Matsumoto in Japan for almost 30 years. Teaching Aya Brush method and Japanese language in US for 25 years.

Co-founder of the AVA Gallery, Lebanon, NH.
Author of the book: The Brush from Your Heart.
Guest curator for "Art of Japan" Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, VT 1995.

You can contact Aya at: kayaita@valley.net