About

SORA
From Portland, Oregon. At home everywhere.


 SORA was born in Usuki, Oita, Japan. Her love for Shodo began when she started taking lessons at 6. Her passion for Shodo blossomed under Sekko Daigo ( Oregon ) and more recently, Futo Suzuki’s ( Japan ) Curriculum. SORA masterfully blends Shodo art skills with her life experiences. SORA’s art provides a window into her soul. The principle of her work is grounded in Genki, the transference of positive energy to all that surronds you, a quality that she brings to every space. So that we will be able to build a more beautiful, diverse, and peaceful world together.

Shodo is a medium that expresses the individual's inner potential and allows you to take notice of your true self. Through SORA performance, she demonstrates the limitless possibilities of expression and challenges the leading edge of her art. SORA belives that through Shodo, people can release a light that has always been there deep inside their souls. SORA is bringing this experience to this society we live in. By releasing that light in every one of us, we will be able to build a more accessible, diverse, and beautifully peaceful world together. Sora will put the energy from her soul, sounds, nature, and the people around her onto the paper and give people a sense of calm and joy through her live performance. 

Live performance experience:
Portland, Oregon/ January 2018 - present

  • Performed at more than 20 events around Oregon

    • Portland Art Museum 

    • Capitol of Oregon, Salem

    • International Yoshida Karate Cup

    • Oregon State Penitentiary

    • East Portland Summer Art Festival

  • Taught workshops sharing Japanese culture and the meditative practice of Shodō 

    • Local middle schools and high schools

    • Colleges/Universities

  • Performed at Japan Day, Boise Idaho

  • Performed at Taka hair salon in Los Angeles 

  • Performed at Japanese Outreach Initiative, Chattanooga, TN

  • Performed at VIA Japan in Rome, Italy

  • Aura writing individually at MUJI Portland, OR

  • Performed at Art Elevated for the Arts Council of Lake Oswego

  • Selected Shodo Artist  for Private live Performance  in Las Vegas/ March 2023 

  • Performance and Workshop at Kamp Grizzly in Portland office/ April 2023

  • Performance and Workshop at Daimler Truck in Portland, OR/ May 2023 



Awards 

  • Professional grant January 2018 from Regional Arts & Culture Center, Oregon

  • Winner of Sogen Shodō Exhibition in Tokyo, The National Art Center Tokyo/ March 2019 - 2021 

  • Winner of “Sho Art “ Mainichi Shodō Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum/ July 2021

  • Make/Learn/Build Grant by RACC Portland / September 2021

  • The highest award ( Tokusen )  selected for Shibunsho at Sho Art “ Sogen Shodō Exhibition, National Museum in Roppongi, Tokyo 2022.

  • Artist Resilience Award 2022 from Oregon Arts Commission 

  • Selected artist for Public Art Purchase 2022 by Reginal Art Council in Portland 

  • Excellent work award “Sho Art “ Mainichi Shodō Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo, August, 2022

  • The highest award ( Shuitsu ) selected for Kanji at Sho Art “ Sogen Shodō Exhibition, National Museum in Roppongi, Tokyo, March 2023.

  • Excellent work award “Sho Art “ Mainichi Shodō Exhibition, The National Art Center, Tokyo, August, 2023



EXHIBITIONS 

  • Lake Oswego Art Council Exhibition selected Artist, Oregon /February 2018 

  • Multnomah Art Center Exhibition selected Artist, Oregon / October 2018 

  • Two-Person Exhibition Johnston’s Advisor (by Oregon Trust), Oregon / April 2018

  •  Awaking - Person Exhibition: by Johnston’s SORA: Lake Oswego Art  Council, Oregon ), / September-  November 2019 

  • Holiday market in Lake Oswego Art  Council, Oregon - December 2020,2021 

  • Kamp Grizzly in Portland office/ April 2023