Her work addresses a perspective on nature that is found within my own culture. I believe personal history is influenced by one’s culture, which originates through nature. My work demonstrates how the two are deeply connected, as I have been investigating how I personally relate to my own culture through nature. I will never forget the moment when I found a single small cherry blossom tree outside my studio during my first year of study in the United States. I have never missed my country as much as I did in that moment, it triggered an intense memory of home which invoked some very strong emotions. From that experience, I have learned that a cherry blossom tree could serve as a symbol of where I come from, as well as enable me to share a very special and personal experience, as the cherry blossom is a very iconic symbol of Japanese culture.
Hiromi’s paintings are created in the Japanese traditional painting technique. I import most of my painting materials, such as Japanese traditional pigments and animal based collagen glue from Japan. Most of my work is painted on wooden panels or paper, which I have used to begin creating Japanese style screens. $his method allows the imagery to help build a connection for the viewer to my culture and background in a personal way. She screens serve as a cultural barrier which is always present, yet not always noticeable, in our everyday life.
Since the recent natural disaster in her home country of Japan, she has begun to yearn for the resiliency so often seen in nature. Her paintings represent her wish to exist with nature and culture in a harmonious relationship not only in my life, but also in the person she is and will become.
2015 – 2016
McGuffey Middle/High School
Washington County, Pennsylvania
2017 – 2018
Wheeling County Day School
Ohio County, West Virginia
Bentworth Middle/High School
Washington County, Pennsylvania
2018 – 2019
Fort Cherry
Washington County, Pennsylvania
2019-2020
North Elementary
Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia
Greensburg-Salem High School
Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
St. Paul School
Weirton, Hancock County, West Virginia
2019 – 2020
North Elementary
Morgantown, West Virginia
2020 – 2021
North Elementary
Morgantown, West Virginia
West Virginia Diocese Residency
Corpus Christi
2021 – 2022
Bobtown Elementary School
Southeastern Greene County
Carmichaels Area Middle School
East Central Greene County
West Greene Elementary School
Greene County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County Career & Technical Center
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Johnstown High School
Cambria County, Pennsylvania
2022 – 2023
Brownsville High School
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Laurel Highlands High School
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
North Elementary
Morgantown, West Virgina
Jefferson Morgan Middle/High School
Greene County, Pennsylvania
2023 – 2024
Laurel Highlands High School
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Jefferson Morgan Middle/High School
Greene County West Virginia
Carmichaels Middle/High School (Fall)
Greene County PA
2025
Bentworth Middle/High School, Washington County, Pennsylvania Spring
Jefferson – Morgan – Greene County, Pennsylvania – Fall
