Junko Azukawa grew up in the Toyama region of Japan at the base of the central Japanese alps, a region famous for the natural beauty of its landscapes. Since becoming a resident of Melbourne in 2005, Junko has brought her unique artistic talents and outlook to the Melbourne art arena. A lifelong student of traditional calligraphy and sumie ink painting, Junko has pushed forward as an artist to create contemporary works which still pay respect to those traditional art forms. Junko's highly individual work oscillates dynamically between striking and subtle through unique combinations of ink and watercolours. The original free-form works of prose and poetry contained in her pieces add a dimension of warmth which express ideas and feelings both practical and philosophical.
Professional Experience
  2011 - present Community Mental Health - Ink and Watercolour Painting Teacher.
2009 - present Box Hill Comunity Arts Centre - Sumie Painting Teacher.
2008 - present Centre for Adult Education - Calligraphy and Sumie Painting Teacher.
2005 - present SUMIDO Japanese Calligraphy and Painting Art, Design & School Director.
Recent Exhibitions ( * solo )
  Sept 2010 gNotes from the hearth, Kazari Gallery, Melbourne.*
Oct 2009 "GO FONT YOUR SELF", KIRIN Presents Exhibition, DONT COME, Melbourne
June 2009 "GO FONT YOUR SELF", KIRIN Presents Exhibition, Peer Gallery, Sydney
June - Sep 2009 "me and my TOYOTA", Toyota Community Spirit Gallery, Melbourne
June 2009 Australia on Collins, Melbourne, Australia.
May 2009 Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
Mar - Apr 2009 Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne, Australia.
Feb - Mar 2009 gWomen's Salon: Stories of Hopeh, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Feb - Mar 2009 gLinden Postcard Showh, Linden Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Dec - Feb 2008/9 gFresh Edges: Timeless Piecesh, Kazari Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Nov 2008 Hokuriku Calligraphy Exhibition, Toyama, Japan.
Sep - Oct 2008 Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne, Australia.
Jul 2008 gShikai - Fields of Visionh, Fad Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Jun - Jul 2008 gMaking Marksh exhibition, Kazari Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Feb 2008 - Kazari Gallery general collection, Melbourne, Australia.
Apr 2008 gArt Melbourneh exhibited by Kazari Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
Dec 2007 Jiyu-Kan Selected Calligraphy Exhibition, Toyama, Japan.
Nov 2007 Hokuriku Calligraphy Exhibition, Toyama, Japan.
May - Jun 2007 Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne, Australia.*
Nov 2006 Hokuriku Calligraphy Exhibition, Toyama, Japan.
Sep 2006 Australia on Collins, Melbourne, Australia.
Feb 2006 Kokoro Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.*
Commercial Designs
  Lexus - Calligraphy artwork for 2011 product catalogue.
KIRIN - Artwork for beer label and associated advertising for Australian promotion.
DAIWA FOOD - Calligraphy artwork for green tea ice cream package.
DAIWA FOOD - Calligraphy artwork for Takuan pickles package.
DAIWA FOOD - Calligraphy artwork for rice package.
TOOT EASTWOOD - Fashion label tags and advertising material.
AKASHA THERAPHY - Logo and advertising material.
Shotokan Karatedo Kenseika, Australia - Logo.
DANZFUZION Dance School, Australia - Logo.
Eastern Aikido, Australia - Logo.
Shizenkan Martial Arts School, Australia - Book titles.
Himawari Martial Arts School, US - Signage.
Japanese Summer Festival, Melbourne, Australia- Banner.
In The Media
 

Jan 2010 "Junko Azukawa Interview", GO GO Melbourne.
Nov 2009 "Junko Azukawa Interview", JAMS.TV.
Oct 2009 "Junko Azukawa Interview", KIRIN presents GO FONT UR SELF*.
May 2009 "Join in Matsudo Week celebrations", Whitehorse News.
8 July 2008 "Japanese Artist's Master Stroke", Moreland Community News.
Prizes
  Nov 2008 North Japan Press Prize, Hokuriku Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition, Japan.
Nov 2007 Best New Artist, Hokuriku Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition, Japan.
Nov 2006 General Category Prize, Hokuriku Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition, Japan.
Invited Calligraphy / Sumi-e Painting Workshops and Demonstrations
  Cheltenham Primary School, VIC.
Kingswood College, VIC.
North Ringwood Community House, VIC.
Essendon Keilor College, VIC.
Chisholm Institute, Melbourne.
International Conference In Health Care, Melbourne.
Lion Nathan Conference, Crown Casino, Melbourne.
Art Education Victoria Conference, Melbourne.
No Vacancy, Melbourne.
Peer Gallery, Sydney.
Boroondara Park Primary School, Melbourne.
St Anne's Primary school, Melbourne.
Solway Primary School, Melbourne.
Haileybury College, Melbourne.
Melton Secondary College, VIC.
Kilvington Girls' Grammar School, Melbourne.
The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Melbourne.
Simonds Catholic College, Melbourne.
Made In Japan, Melbourne.
Orchard Grove Primary School, Melbourne.
Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Melbourne.
The Centre Connecting Community, Melbourne.
Templestowe Park Primary School.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School.
RMIT University, Melbourne.
Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne.
Ikebana International, Melbourne.
Ivanhoe Grammar School, Melbourne.
St Columba's College, Melbourne.
Xavier College, Melbourne.