Yumiko Kigoshi was born in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As well as completing formal art schooling, Yumiko studied art from the age of ten and later attended university where she gained a degree in home economics before leaving Japan.
Yumiko has been an Australian resident for more than forty-six years. In addition to her studies in both Sumi-E (Japanese Ink Art) and Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) she found time to raise a family and run two successful Japanese restaurants in Brisbane, Sushi Bar Sennari in Elizabeth Street, and Yumiko Japanese Restaurant in Park Road.
Yumiko is a Master of Sumi-E and is also an 8th Dan in Japanese Calligraphy, with more than twenty years’ experience in both arts.
Exhibitions
For many years, Yumiko’s work has been displayed in National Art Galleries and Museums, including:
2005 – National Museum – Estonia, Royal Museum – Lithuania, National Museum – Slovakia.
2006 – Art Gallery – Poland, National Art Gallery – Ireland.
2008 – every year to the present – The National Art Centre – Tokyo.
2024 – Tainan 400-year celebration, Taiwan and Australia Art Exchange Exhibition, Taiwan
2025 – Shaoxing City Art Gallery, China
Awards received include:
2011 – International Sumi-E Association – Asahi Shinbun prize
2016 – Dai Nippon Syogeiin prize (Calligraphy)
2022 – International Sumi-E Association Foreign Ministry Award
Mentors
Sumi-E – Kinsui Katori (Chairman & Founder International Sumi-E Association – Tokyo)
Oil Painting – Kinji Sato (Gifu)
Calligraphy – Syuho Kojima (Brisbane)
Calligraphy – Chanomi Touan (Shizuoka)
Sculpture – Masao Mizuno (Artist & Curator of Yudokan Museum – Gifu)
Private tuition
Yumiko conducts classes in Sumi-E and calligraphy in Japan and from her home in Brisbane as well as doing private commission works.
Workshop Classes – Brisbane Institute of the Arts – Kinyu Ink Studio
Yumiko commenced offering Workshop Classes in 2018. These workshops are designed for any skill level from beginner to advanced and are structured so that tuition at any level and in both calligraphy and Sumi-E can be offered in the one class. They are not in lecture format and are designed to suit each student’s skill level and speed.
Student exhibition
All are invited to the opening of a free exhibition of Student art on 4th October.