Japanese artist Reiko Healy has two weeks left of her exhibition Sakura, featuring a range of Japanese creations in Spiral Gallery, Bega.
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Ms Healy said she had created an exhibition that takes people to a mini Japan without leaving the country.
The walls of Spiral's Gallery 2 are adorned in traditional and cultural Japanese items, which Ms Healy has brought back from her travels.
"Because we can't go to Japan or overseas, if you want to have a taste of different cultures you can come here," Ms Healy said.
Of all the items on display, Ms Healy's favourite was the traditional Kokeshi dolls, which are said to bring good fortune and protection.
Ms Healy said the traditional Kokeshi dolls were often made by farmers during the months of winter.
Once finished making their dolls, the farmers would go to retreats where there were hot springs and sell them to the people there.
"Lots of Japanese people went there for one or two weeks to retreat and the farmers started selling them to wish their visitors good health and good luck," she said.
The various dolls Ms Healy has brought back are hand painted, and much more like the traditional dolls made by the farmers.
Other cultural Japanese items in the exhibition include kimonos, clothes, jewellery, cards, textiles, prints, antiques and more.
Ms Healy said in the last couple of weeks since opening her exhibition on November 1, she had noticed a balanced ratio of local residents and tourists coming in to the gallery.
Her most popular items have been her handmade, dyed clothes.
"They're made of natural fiber with indigo patterns and a Japanese design that you won't find anywhere else," she said.
Ms Healy has been involved with Spiral Gallery for 22 years and takes pride in being in one of the "oldest artist run galleries in Australia."
"We are always looking for more people to get involved with us at Spiral Gallery, volunteers, members and local artists," she said.
Ms Healy said as an artist she has found working for the gallery and meeting like minded people has been great for her networking and her artistic inspiration.
"Just being here is really good for some artists who don't feel ready to exhibit yet as they can network and meet a lot of people and artists," she said.
Ms Healy's exhibition has less than two weeks left, finishing November 30.
To find out more about Sakura and Ms Healy's Japanese Creations visit: japanesecreations.online.
Amandine Ahrens
I've grown up in the Bega Valley and I'm a regional daily news reporter on the Far South Coast of NSW. Got a story? Get in touch: 0436 426 843 or email amandine.ahrens@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I've grown up in the Bega Valley and I'm a regional daily news reporter on the Far South Coast of NSW. Got a story? Get in touch: 0436 426 843 or email amandine.ahrens@austcommunitymedia.com.au
