Artist Edition: "Noren" by Alexa Hatanaka

In Noren, Alexa uses hundreds of scrap pieces of washi (Japanese paper) collected over two years, integrating naturally dyed, hand-printed, and ink-painted elements from her past artworks. She reflects on her family history as fishermen alongside significant natural events in Japan. This artwork connects to the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis while exploring her family’s story, particularly their immigration to Canada after the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923. Drawing on personal and cultural narratives, the fish represents persistence and courage, and highlights the links between lineage, survivorship, traditional wisdom and the land.