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Peita Collard's love affair with all things Japanese began during a three-year stint living and teaching in the country town of Chichibu on the island of Honshu. Enraptured by Japan's people, culture, and dazzling natural beauty, Peita immersed herself in the vivid life surrounding her, the cities, the towns, the hinterlands, the wild places. On hikes and pilgrimages through the rural heartland, she revelled in the changing of the seasons and the magnificence of the wilderness, and sought to communicate this sense of wonder to others with photographs like those we see here. Though a highly respected theatrical director and performer, Peita has always maintained a passion for all branches of the arts. Thus it was only natural that she would take part in the creative culture of her adopted land, studying traditional flower arrangement (Ikebana) and calligraphy (Shodo). However, it is through her stunning photography that the viewer can here experience Peita's Japan. Upon her return to Australia, Peita sought out Junko Azukawa to continue her instruction in Shodo, and it was while studying with Junko that the two artists found themselves discussing the possibility of this, their first joint exhibition. Their friendship and mutual passion for the arts is a testament to the ongoing connection between our two nations. |
