Junko Azukawa grew up in the Japanese city of Toyama and has studied Japanese calligraphy since the age of five at the Hokuriku Calligraphy Academy where she has earned the Shihan teaching qualification. She is currently studying directly under the guidance of the school's head and prominent calligrapher, Shiro Aoyagi. After coming to Melbourne in 2005, Junko has exhibited several times, including successful commercial exhibitions at Kazari Collector and Fad Gallery in Melbourne. In 2007, Junko was involved in designing the new label for the well-known Japanese beer, KIRIN. Recently, Junko began working on a new artistic concept combining traditional sumi ink calligraphy and painting with watercolours and kimono fabric to create unique abstract scenes. Her original prose and poetry describes feelings about her own life and those around her.

	Professional Experience
	2009 Box Hill Comunity Arts Centre - Sumie ink Painting Teacher 2008 - 2009 Centre for Adult Education, Australia - Calligraphy and Ink Painting Teacher. 2005 - 2009 SUMIDO Japanese Calligraphy Art, Design and School, Australia - Director.
	Recent Exhibitions ( * solo )
	June 2009 "GO FONT YOUR SELF", KIRIN Presents Exhibition, DONT COME, Melbourne June 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 “Women's Salon: Stories of Hope”, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Feb - Mar 2009 “Linden Postcard Show”, Linden Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Dec - Feb 2008/9 “Fresh Edges: Timeless Pieces”, Kazari Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Nov 2008 Hokuriku Calligraphy Exhibition, Toyama, Japan. Sep - Oct 2008 Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne, Australia. Jul 2008 “Shikai - Fields of Vision”, Fad Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Jun - Jul 2008 “Making Marks” exhibition, Kazari Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Feb 2008 - Kazari Gallery general collection, Melbourne, Australia. Apr 2008 “Art Melbourne” 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
	KIRIN - Artwork for beer label and associated advertising for Australian promotion. TOOT EASTWOOD - Fashion label tags and advertising material. Shizen Martial Arts School - Signage. Martial Arts Combative Education - Signage. Iwama Ryu Aikido School - Signage. Yamaneko Martial Arts School - Signage. Kinbushi Karate School - Signage.
	Invited Calligraphy / Sumi-e Painting Workshops
	July 2009 Melton Secondary College, VIC July 2009 Kilvington Girls' Grammar School, Melbourne June 2009 The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Melbourne. June 2009 Simonds Catholic College, Melbourne. June 2009 Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne June 2009 Made In Japan, Melbourne. May 2009 Ivanhoe Grammar School, Melbourne. May 2009 Orchard Grove Primary School, Melbourne. May 2009 Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Melbourne. Apr 2009 The Centre Connecting Community, Melbourne. Nov 2008 Templestowe Park Primary School Oct 2008 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School Aug 2008 Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne Jun 2008 RMIT University, Melbourne May 2008 Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne May 2008 Ikebana International, Melbourne May 2008 Ivanhoe Grammar School, Melbourne Mar 2008 St Columba's College, Melbourne Sep 2007 Xavier College, Melbourne
	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.
	In The Media
	May 2009 "Join in Matsudo Week celebrations", Whitehorse News. 8 July 2008 "Japanese Artist's Master Stroke", Moreland Community News.