Taró Nordberg
Calligrapher
Zurich, Switzerland
Expressive ink on washi and silk
- Taró bridges Japanese calligraphy with contemporary expression
- His practice is deeply rooted in nature and human encounters
- His works are displayed in Japanese temples
A fourth-generation calligrapher raised between Japan and Switzerland, Taró Nordberg approaches calligraphy as far more than an inherited craft. "I found in the brush a language beyond words. It is a magical tool that reveals my real face," he says. Deeply rooted in Kyoto's rich craft culture and the traditions passed down through his family, Taró works closely with papermakers, ink makers and brush makers, each playing an essential role in his practice. His expressive paintings reflect on the finite nature of life. "Life is valuable because there is an end to it," he says. Taró embodies this philosophy not only through his calligraphy but also through live performances and the cultural art collective Hitotoki, seeking to capture and share moments that touch people's hearts.
INTERVIEW
Since childhood, I have felt as though I was floating between two worlds. I am neither entirely Japanese, nor entirely Swiss, which has given me a different perspective on life. Speaking different languages often felt like wearing different masks, so the brush became the only way to express my true identity.
Inspiration comes from life itself, through encounters, landscapes, rice fields or a memory that stays with me. I sketch impulsively, then return to these ideas over time, peeling away layer after layer. I often leave parts unfinished because what often seems incomplete is in fact the most complete. I also like to leave room for interpretation.
When I am working in my Zurich atelier, I collaborate with other artisans and artists. For example, I have previously worked with an eighth-generation silk producer. I usually paint on washi paper or canvas, so painting on silk was a very special experience.
Hitotoki, which means 'one moment' in Japanese, is a cultural art collective. Through live performances, often in temples surrounded by nature, fellow musicians and I bring music and craft into dialogue, allowing the brush to respond to the sound of the instruments. It is a space for different art forms to come together to create something great.
Taró Nordberg
Calligrapher
Zurich, Switzerland
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+41 794858563
LANGUAGES
German, French, English, Japanese
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