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(From left) Ayumi Nawa (CHALKART nana-you), Nao Tashima (Graffiti Factory CHALKART Designs)
"Chalk Art Live" was an event held in Fukuoka Yokamon Hiroba, 11th floor of the Fukuoka Prefectural Government Offices, on 10th February 2017 with Nao Tashima (based in Onojo City, Fukuoka Prefecture) and Ayumi Nawa (based in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture), two chalk artists active in the Fukuoka area!


"Chalk art" depicts texts and illustrations on blackboards in a three-dimensional manner, by making use of oil pastels to create coloring and shading. In Japan, it seems that this art form is not just used for signs and advertising boards, but is now also widely seen in interiors.


The theme of this event was "World Heritage." Currently listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the position of "Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in Munakata Region" will be reviewed by the World Heritage Committee meeting this coming summer in order to decide whether or not it will be accepted and registered as a fully fledged World Heritage Site. Usually work is created on a blackboard that is made specifically for chalk art, but this time they used water-based markers on an ordinary blackboard.

A huge blackboard that stretches across about 10 meters is attached to a wall in the Fukuoka Yokaman Hiroba, North Building. As soon as you enter you can see works that these two artists created prior to the event under the theme of "Fukuoka."

The work on the left is by Tashima-san and the work on the right is by Nawa-san.


The two chalk artists were given from 10:00 to 17:00 and challenged to create a work within the time. With the piece finished, Nawa-san told us "people might have slightly rigid and academic image of "World Heritage," but I think using chalk art we've created a more casual, friendly depiction. I would be so happy if people from all age groups can view the work from lots of angles and discover different aspects of it they find interesting." Tashima-san added "I had a great time drawing it, so I hope everyone who sees it will also enjoy it." We recently covered the "Early Spring Collection of Animals and Small Puppet Exhibition," (>> to read more, click here!) which will be on display at the Fukuoka Yokamon Hiroba until Friday 24th March 2017! Both are free to view, so make sure to stop by and see them in person! (Editorial depart.: Gon)