Ojika Artist in Island
photo by Joshua Hoogeboom-Noya
The Ojika Artist in Island Program was created by the community organization Hoetiza2019. In 2019 they had invited us to take part in the residency as its first invited artistic practice. After a successful first run we were invited to continue as both curator and artistic direction for the residency program.
Though a small and humble residency program with small means, it has had an increasing impact on the island and those that live there — from the young to the elderly.
Until now the program's main support has come from the Nagasaki Prefecture, Ojika Town, and on occasion the Embassy of the Netherlands in Tokyo.
Ojika Artist in Island Residency Program Highlights
2021 Edition: Tomoe Miyazaki & Erika Kobayashi
Tomoe Miyazaki
Tokyo-based artist, part of Stomache.
Collaborated with Studio The Future for Ojika residency.
Conducted workshop "Your Favourite Book" with middle school students, creating box art representations.
Crafted new object/sculptural works inspired by the island's daily life.
Installation and exhibition at Hoteiza Space in Fuefuki.
Erika Kobayashi
Accomplished writer and manga artist.
Led workshop "Personal Stories" capturing personal histories from Ojika.
Developed an enquette distributed to Ojika residents.
Selected 5-8 stories, interviewed participants, and created drawn representations.
Installation at Hoteiza Space with an artist talk.
2022 Edition: Olya Oleinic
Amsterdam and Paris-based artist Olya Oleinic.
Workshops:
Used Ojika's red earth with the Red Earth Research Group, interpreting Domovoy (house spirits).
Collaborated with middle school kids, creating structures with textile, bamboo, and rubber bands.
Explored the theme of "Building A Home."
Researched the concept of creating a home, resulting in a sitting area in Nakamura House's garden and a brick oven for pizza-making.
Concluded with a community pizza-making event.
2023 Edition: Anna Riabova
Invited architect and artist from Kiev and Amsterdam.
Explored Ojika's infrastructure and proposed interventions for abandoned lots.
Organized three workshops engaging middle school kids in designing architectural interventions in Fuefuki.
Themed around "Reimagining Reuse of Empty Lots in Ojika's Fuefuki."
Through diverse artistic practices, workshops, and community engagement, the Ojika Artist in Island Residency Program has become a platform for creative exploration, cultural exchange, and envisioning the future of Ojika. These residencies contribute to the cultural vibrancy and community spirit of Ojika Island.
Artist-in-Island＠OJIKA ISLAND 2020 is organized by 布袋座二〇一九 (Hoteiza Ni Maru Ichi Kyu): an Ojika-based group of volunteers whose goal is to promote cultural activities on the island as well as to preserve the island's cultural heritage. The project is supported by Nagasaki Prefecture, with additional financial support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Studio The Future leads the curatorial team, with coordinational and production line support from Hoteiza2019 and Miki Yoshioka. Each year, the program invites 1 - 2 artists from abroad or Japan for a period between 2 weeks and 3 months.