Creative Community: Artist Talk & Workshop by Oda Hekiun

Join Chicago-based master calligrapher Hekiun Oda for a beginner shodo (Japanese calligraphy) workshop. Learn the basics and history of this art form, in this hands-on workshop presented by AIRMW in tandem with the show “思考回路 / Shikou Kairo: Patterns of Thought” featuring Oda’s solo works.

Hekiun Oda is Chicago’s premier practitioner of Shodo (traditional Japanese calligraphy) was born in Kobe City, Japan, a municipality which was known at that time for a large concentration of shodo masters. Oda began studying shodo at the age of 5 under Goun Katsura, himself a master. Oda moved to Chicago in 1990, and has held exhibitions and demonstrations at various venues, including the Japanese Culture Center Chicago and McHenry County College. In 2009, he established the Oda Japanese Calligraphy School and has taught over 100 students. Oda obtained a “Shihan” – the highest rank in shodo – in Nov. 2011 from Genshinkai, an association of calligraphers in Japan.