Soufu Honda (born 1981) is a calligraphy-based artist whose practice draws deep inspiration from nature. Through the flow of the brush and the bleeding of ink, Soufu seeks to express the layered vitality and the passage of time inherent in natural phenomena.
Based between Hokkaido (Asahikawa) and Tokyo, Soufu has held solo exhibitions, performed calligraphic performances internationally, and collaborated on design projects — ranging from corporate lettering and store logos to interior art.
I propose to create a series of large-scale calligraphic installations deeply rooted in the landscapes and natural environment of the residency location.
Drawing from my established visual language—where brush strokes and ink flows reflect organic forms such as tree branches, frost patterns, or fungal growth—I will specifically explore how to create original ink by utilising local materials such as sand and earth from the site. I aim to infuse the artworks with the very geology and energy of the land through this unique, site-specific pigment.
While I usually work on paper, I plan to expand my expressive range by challenging myself to use tree bark and rocks as canvases for the calligraphy. This process will allow me to explore how the local flora, light, and seasonal changes influence shape, rhythm, and structure in the work. The installations could occupy walls, walkways, or outdoor surfaces, allowing the environment itself to become an integral part of the artwork.
In parallel, I envision offering community workshops in “performing calligraphy”—inviting participants to explore their own connection to nature through brush, ink, and movement. These sessions will emphasize presence, mindfulness, and embodied expression: how the physical act of writing can bridge human emotion, memory, and the environment in ways that words alone cannot.
Through this dual program (installation + participatory workshop), I aim to foster deeper engagement between the community, the space, and the living energy of nature, renewing traditional calligraphy in a contemporary, experiential context.
Ubah Rumah is an art residency and archive inspired by stories of our region.
