Current Perspectives: Uehira Baikei

Current Perspectives Lecture Series: Uehira Baikei

Uehira Baikei, is a master calligrapher and teacher, renown for his live calligraphy demonstrations resulting in dramatic artworks. At age 29, Uehira established and became president of the Seisho Calligraphy Association in Osaka, Japan.

Uehira is an accomplished studio artist versed in classical calligraphy styles and an innovator in the field who experiments with new materials, forms, and brush styles. With over 30 years of calligraphy instruction to his credit, Uehira has travelled the world to countries such as the United States, France, Italy, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China teaching Japanese calligraphy to students of all nationalities. In 2013, he was invited to one of Japan’s most popular news programs to perform for Lady Gaga, who was so impressed by his mastery of calligraphy she was nearly brought to tears. 

He has developed new pathways and styles of traditional Japanese calligraphy through collaborations, art shodō and live performances. Uehira currently lives with his wife (also a calligraphy teacher) and three children in the Kansai area. As of 2011, more than 2,000 students study under him.

This event is free and open to the public.

Baikei is considered a pioneer of live art shodō (live performance calligraphy) because of his incredibly skillful brush technique. This image features the calligraphy master performing live art shodō. 

Sponsoring groups at the Kansas City Art Institute include the Asian Studies program, the Collaborative Practice Committee, and the Visiting Artists Working Group (VAWG).