Artist-in-Residence 2025 Report
1. Arrival and Warm Welcome
Artists from Spain and Poland arrived at Jōgon-in Temple. In the main hall, they were greeted by parishioners with warm applause and smiles, easing the tension of first introductions. The Jōgon-in International Art Festival, featuring as many as 40 artists, includes works by foreign artists who, like them, stay locally to create their pieces.This marked the beginning of a one-month creative stay.
2. Bonds at the Dining Table
From the very first dinner, meals quickly became a stage for cultural exchange. Takoyaki parties, shared paella with the temple monk, and everyday meals turned into moments of laughter and connection. Around the table, friendships naturally began to grow.
3. The Beat of Taiko Drums
Together with local children and residents, the artists experienced the powerful rhythms of the “Azuchi Nobunaga Taiko.” For many, it was their very first time playing Japanese drums—eyes lit up, hands moved with excitement, and the air filled with cheers and laughter. The event was even featured in the Chunichi Shimbun newspaper.
4. Lluis’ Creative Journey — Sharing Joy Through Photos
Lluis from Spain is developing a unique project using cyanotype (blueprint) techniques. He frequently documents his process, posting photos on social media with enthusiastic explanations. His joy in creating here is contagious, brightening the atmosphere of the entire residence.
5. Creating with the Community — Kasia’s Story of Old Clothes
Kasia from Poland began her project with materials donated by local residents—bags of old clothes filled with memories. For her, each fabric carries traces of daily life and history. This simple act of sharing shows how art and community can intertwine, turning collaboration into creation.
6. Breathing Life into the Old Courtyard — Juc & Anna’s Installation
Artists Juc and Anna focused on an unused, weathered courtyard within the temple. They embraced the space as it was, weaving installations among its trees and plants. By blending nature with architecture, they transformed a forgotten corner into a new exhibition site, expanding the festival’s reach.
7. Dialogue in Pressed Flowers — Angels’ Collection and Creation
Later joining the program, Angels collected flowers not only from Spain and other European countries but also from the grounds of Jōgon-in. She carefully pressed them, organizing each by region and arranging them like modern paintings. Each petal holds the memory of a place, turning her work into a poetic dialogue across cultures.
8. Small Discoveries in Shiga
Even simple outings became sources of surprise and inspiration for the artists.
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At a local udon shop, they marveled at watching noodles being freshly made.
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At Kohō-an Temple in Nagahama, they listened with fascination to explanations of sliding door paintings and Zen calligraphy.
These everyday encounters nourished their creative process.
9. Community Workshop I — Flower Dyeing and Photo Transfer
Local participants joined the artists in making art from nature: pounding flowers onto cloth to dye patterns, and transferring photos onto wooden blocks. Excited voices of “Beautiful!” and “Amazing!” filled the room. The works will be displayed in the upcoming festival.
10. Community Workshop II — Cyanotype Blueprints
In another session, participants created cyanotypes using leaves. The moment the paper turned deep blue in liquid, applause broke out. The mix of science and nature felt magical, and people of all ages enjoyed the experience together.
11. A Lighthearted Moment — Filming a Comedy Video
Amidst serious work, the artists also joined the monk in filming a playful promotional video inside the studio. With laughter and energetic acting, the scene revealed another side of their personalities and showed how lively the residency truly was.
12. Meet the Artists — Profiles of the Participants
Beyond the stories of creation and exchange, getting to know the backgrounds of each artist deepens the understanding of their work. In this section, we introduce the profiles of all participating artists.
Angeles Villadomiou
(Àngels Viladomu/Spain)
These two-dimensional works incorporate plant motifs and are characterized by their tranquil expressions that make use of natural shapes and colors.
Katarzyna Podgorska-Grönty
(Katarzyna Podgórska-Glonti/Poland)
An artist who uses a variety of media, including spatially conscious exhibitions, installations, and photography, he develops works that make use of the context and time of the place.
Ruth Estopinhan
(Lluís Estopiñan/Spain)
A collage-like expression that combines photography and painting techniques, he creates a unique world of work using old photographs and negatives as materials, with themes of memory and time.
Yuk Keralt and Anna Salas
(Lluc Queralt & Anna Salas/Spain)
This collaborative spatial installation will create a new experience through dynamic expression that transforms the entire venue into a work of art.
13. Sunset Cruise on Lake Nishi ― Evening Moments Aboard a Yakatabune Boat
To conclude the Artist-in-Residence program, we held a dinner party aboard a traditional houseboat on Lake Biwa's inner lake, Nishi-no-ko, located in Azuchi.
Gliding across the gently flowing water, the artists gazed at the sunset-tinged sky and the lake's shimmering surface, reflecting on a month of creative work and exchange.
On board, smiles and cheers filled the air as everyone gathered around the chanchan-yaki grill, enjoying a peaceful moment.
This twilight gathering became a finale filled with creative energy and warmth, leading directly into the upcoming art festival presentations.
Conclusion and Invitation to the Festival
The Jōgon-in Artist-in-Residence has been a journey of encounters—between cultures, between people, and between past and present. These moments of connection will soon take shape in the Jōgon-in International Art Festival (Oct 25 – Nov 23, 2025).
Come and witness how these experiences have blossomed into artworks that speak across borders and generations.
