Margot
Tohkou (東虹) Olejniczak

My name is Margot Toh-kou (東 虹) Olejniczak. I am Swiss- Polish artist and teacher of Japanese ink painting in Switzerland, Poland and Germany. I got my Japanese name Toh-kou (東 虹) from my master Tohun Kobayashi, in 2021.

In my paintings I use very traditional techniques that have been passed down from master to master for hundreds of years – at the highest level – and have never been fully described in books. Maintaining this technical treasure remains very important for me.

By combining this old style with a modern approach and adding different tools available, I can achieve a unique style. My artistic research is also concerned with the creation of a new concept of sumi-e painting by introducing the contemporary means of expression. Above all, the pure spirit and mindfulness shape my artistic landscape and the vision of the world.

Margot Olejniczak,  Atelier Margot, CH-8158 Regensberg, +41 78 907 36 88

Thanks to my numerous trips to Japan, I discovered the art and philosophy of ink painting.

Since 2001 I have been studying the Sumi-e Art in Tokyo in the classes of well-known masters and since 2012 I have been perfectionning my skills in the class of Master Tohun Kobayashi until today.

In 2014 I received a diploma of Sumie Instuctor awarded by The Sumie Japan Association.

I run courses of Japanese painting in Zurich, in the Museum of Japanese Art and Technology  ‘Manggha” In Cracow, in Warsaw (Poland) and in Ekō-Haus in Düsseldorf, Germany.

I regularly exhibit my works at individual and group exhibitions in Europe, USA und Japan.

In 2016 I received for my works a Special Award in the Tokyo National Art Center, followed by a Special Award in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum during Le Salon Blanc -The International Exhibition of Contemporary Art.
In September 2016 I became a member of the art group at the Noho M55 Gallery in New York and of the International Sumi-e Friendship Association of Japan.

In August 2017 I received the  International Best Award in Japanese art, calligraphy and painting exhibition in Gunma Precfeture, Japan. Since this moment, I was awarded several times during the exhibitions n Japan.

In 2018 I became a member of the Jury of the international exhibition The Torch of Asia, at the  National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan.

In January 2020 I have received a Special Award of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for my 3 works and the promotion of the Japanese culture and ink painting outside Japan  (International Exhibition Art for All, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Japan)

I am a member of the Japanese International Sumi-e Friendship Association.

In 2021 I was given my official Japanese art name, chosen by my master Tohun Kobayashi