■ Passing on the global environment to future generations through art by people with disabilities

This canvas has artwork printed on it, made from a fabric made from "TSUMUGI," a sustainable paper thread made from post-consumer paper resources and unused thinning wood.

As an initiative to create opportunities to consider the importance of forest, satoyama and biodiversity conservation and to realize a diverse and inclusive society, we are collaborating with Inclusive Japan, a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and inclusion and is the first in Ehime Prefecture to provide employment support for people with disabilities using art and craft as a training medium. Two artists from Atelier Hikari have created artworks themed around "Mount Rokko in Kobe," which express their inspirations and feelings toward the forest, with an image of a lush green forest.

The canvas is made from fabric that takes advantage of the characteristics of paper thread and a frame made from unused thinning wood, allowing visitors to feel closer to the natural environment while also enjoying the diversity of art created by people with disabilities as interior decor.

Artist: Natsumi Umeoka Work: "My favorite green forest"

I have been using Hikari Atelier since September 2017.

I combine various motifs, such as my favorite fruits and flowers, or things I find on the internet, to create original works with happy shapes and colorful colors. I sketch with pencil, outline with marker, and color with colored pencils and pens. I also make origami and collage works. I also paint with acrylic paints. I also think about the title of the work.

For this piece, she said, "I combined things I like and tried my hand at using acrylic paint. It's my favorite green forest, trees 🌲, flowers 🔴, and a heart ♥, which represents my favorite emotion. I also worked hard on how to use the brush. I'd like to live in a forest like this."