M.J. Maraldo

A native of Terre Haute, Indiana, Mary Jo Maraldo has lived in Japan for seven years. She began her studies of Japanese language and culture in 1971 at Sophia University, Tokyo, and in 1972 began formal lessons in Ikebana Ikenobo School. In 1984 she received teaching credentials in Ikebono, and in 1985 was awarded the title of Junkankan by Senei Ikebono, Headmaster of the School. She did numerous gallery installations of large sculptural Ikebana works at the Jacksonville Art Museum from 1982 to 1986. Her formal study of Japanese calligraphy began in 1987 under Daiki Takemoto in Kyoto. A recipient of several grant awards, she has shown calligraphic works, both two and three dimensional, in solo exhibitions in Kyoto, Japan; Jacksonville, Florida; and Santa Fe, New Mexico; as well as in group exhibitions of contemporary art in Florida and New York. Her work is on view at Bruce Dempsey Fine Arts | SHO: Contemporary Japanese Calligraphy.

Contents | Mudlark No. 11