Hannya Mask Project

The Hannya Mask Project

On March 11 2011, a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, birthing a devastating tsunami that had swept over the cities and farmland in the north east part of the country and set off warnings as far away as the west coast of the USA and South America. Recorded at a 9.0 on the Richter scale, it was the most powerful quake to ever hit the country.

As the nation struggled with a rescue effort, it also faced the worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl; explosions and leaks of radioactive gas took place in three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that suffered partial meltdowns, while spent fuel rods at another reactor overheated and caught fire, releasing radioactive material directly into the atmosphere. Japanese officials turned to increasingly desperate measures, as traces of radiation were found in Tokyo’s water and in water pouring from the reactors into the ocean.

By July, The count of dead and missing was above 22,000. tens of thousands of people remained housed in temporary shelters or evacuated their homes due to the nuclear crisis. The organization, Save The Children, reports that as many as 100,000 children were uprooted from their homes. The crisis continues to this day, with a continued lack of information coming out of the affected area. With so many families displaced; lives and possessions in ruins, they are still in desperate need of help, so that they will have a chance at a future.

We as artists draw our inspiration from many sources, and none the more influential for so many of us than the art and culture of Japan. Whether it be traditional Japanese lithograph and wood block art, the ancient and modern fashions, full body tattoos of fantastic warriors and mythical creatures, Japanese toy culture, to modern anime and manga art…We are all affected and touched by the multifarious elements of Japanese culture.

This is our attempt to give something back to Japan and its amazing people who are in need. Partnered with Red Cross of Central Florida, we, a collective of diverse artists and artisans from all over the United States and Canada, have come together to do just that. With your help we will raise monies for the charity and show good will towards our neighbors in need. We are all Connected. Thank you.

Who’s Involved

Presented at Laughing Samurai’s Twelve21 Gallery by FX Artist Nix Herrera and tattoo artist Ant Iannucci of Ascension Tattoo, to benefit relief for the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami victims in Japan. The exhibition features 50 hand-painted Hannya Masks, by some of America’s best tattoo artists, conventional artists, sculptural artists, and body painters. A big thank you to the following sponsors along with all 50 artists for making this exhibition happen.

Ant Iannucci -www.ascensiontattoo.com

Nix Herrera – www.facebook.com/TheBodyPainter

Keith Ciaramello – www.tattoosbykeith.com

Hoffa -www.ascensiontattoo.com

Mark Longnecker www.endlesssummertattoo.com

Dee Dee Seruga – www.deedeeseruga.com

Cristina Garcia – www.cristinagarciatattoo.wordpress.com

Kim Reed – www.anonymoustattoo.com

Carson Hill – www.carsonhilltattoos.com

Mike Cole – www.mikecoletattoo.com

Gunnar – www.artofgunnar.com

Matt Lukesh – www.seppukutattoo.com