Contributing to the World While Having Fun! Art at Kumamoto University Enjoyed Through "SDGs-Oriented Art Appreciation"

Professor Takumi Matsunaga, Graduate School of Education

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Kumamoto University has also committed to achieving these goals by issuing the "Kumamoto University SDGs Declaration," and is actively engaging in initiatives and research across the entire institution.
This time, we visited the “Kumadai Machinaka Campus,” a meaningful initiative in this context. We spoke with Professor Takumi Matsunaga, who curated an art exhibition based on the theme of the SDGs!

An Art Exhibition at the “Kumadai Machinaka Campus” Blending Three Themes

The “Kumadai Machinaka Campus” is a joint initiative between Kumamoto University and Newco One Co., Ltd., which operates Tsutaya Bookstores in Kumamoto. This time, the exhibition is titled “An Exhibition of Works by Takumi Matsunaga and Emerging Students of Kumamoto University.” What kind of exhibition is it?

This exhibition blends several themes. The first is my own work: I’m exhibiting a large F200-sized painting titled “Dancing with Flowers: Wisteria（かたとき花と踊る藤）”, which I submitted to the Nikikai Art Exhibition. The second theme features student works: we’re showcasing pieces created by students who have received awards at national exhibitions, along with works themed around the SDGs. The third is the SDGs Art Wall: this invites participants to reflect on what they can personally do to help achieve the 17 SDG goals. They write their mission on strips of cardboard, which are then displayed as part of the exhibition—turning it into a space for sharing commitments. Notable participants already include the President of Kumamoto University, the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, the Mayor of Kumamoto City, and the President of Higo Bank. It’s an interactive artwork where people can not only see the missions others have pledged but also contribute their own.

Takumi Matsunaga Dancing with Flowers: Wisteria（かたとき花と踊る藤）
(Exhibited at the 77th Nikikai Art Exhibition)

Kumika Umeki What is Genius? (天才とは); Fuka Wakino <sumika> ;
Megumi Imamura (alumna) <You>
(All were selected for the 77th Nikikai Art Exhibition.)

By participating in the SDGs Art Wall, it is a good opportunity to think about the SDGs and take action.

Kumamoto University encourage SDGs-related research, and Kumamoto Prefecture is known for its many advanced SDG initiatives. While there are large-scale efforts such as the development of solar power technology, I believe it’s also important to think about what each of us can do. By expressing one’s personal mission in words and sharing it through the Art Wall, I hope participants can feel a sense of fulfillment—knowing they are contributing to a part of the world’s greater goals. Perhaps one of the most important goals is the transformation of our awareness toward the SDGs.

An Interactive Artwork: The “SDGs Art Wall”

On Saturday, May 17, a talk event by Professor Matsunaga on the theme of “Living with an Artistic Mindset” was held, along with a workshop where participants created their own original coasters using wood from Kumadai trees.

Utilizing discarded wood that has grown alongside the university’s history,
we create SDGs-themed art goods.

In this exhibition, goods titled “Kumadai no Ki” are also on sale.

Kumamoto University’s campus is home to many trees such as cherry, zelkova, and camphor. I have been involved in the campus maintenance, and for a long time, I have wondered if the discarded wood from fallen trees and pruning could be put to good use.So, I commercialized a product series called “Kumadai no Ki (Kumamoto University's Wood),” which turns art pieces made from discarded wood into goods.

The wood is left to rest for six months to two years after being cut, and then laser-engraved with illustrations. The designs include historical campus buildings like the Memorial Museum of the Fifth High School and the Red Gate, as well as figures connected to Kumamoto University such as Natsume Soseki and Lafcadio Hearn. Currently, we make coasters, magnets, keychains, and pen holders, and plan to increase the variety of illustrations. It’s enjoyable not only to choose based on the designs but also to find pieces with your favorite wood color or growth rings.

Since this initiative utilizes discarded wood, it is an effort conscious of the SDGs. At the same time, because the wood has grown alongside the history of Kumamoto University, it also serves as a meaningful keepsake. In the future, we hope to offer these items as souvenirs that everyone who visits Kumamoto University can easily take home.

The “Kumadai no Ki” series:
Coasters, magnets, and keychains are sold for 300 to 400 yen, and pen holders are sold for 700 yen.

Where can they be purchased?

Currently, they are sold at the Kumamoto University co-op store and at the “Kumamoto SDGs Mirai Park,” located adjacent to Kumamoto Airport. We hope you will enjoy using it in your daily life!

The Joy of “SDGs-Oriented Art Appreciation”:
Viewing Artworks and Sensing the Goals Behind Them

The SDGs-themed paintings created by students offer many different perspectives, making them very interesting.

When viewing an artwork, thinking about which goal it addresses and what story it tells helps broaden one’s understanding—and that is truly enjoyable. For example, a painting depicting the ocean might lead some to think about Goal 14, “Life Below Water,” while others might associate it with Goal 7, “Affordable and Clean Energy.” Since there are 17 SDGs, it’s natural for viewers to interpret the artworks differently depending on which goal they relate to. The important thing is to look at the paintings, imagine your own stories, and enjoy expanding those narratives. You might even come up with three or four different stories. This, I believe, is the very essence of what could be called “SDGs-oriented art appreciation.”

We hope many people will come to see the exhibition!

It will be held until Sunday, May 25.

Of course, we want everyone to enjoy viewing the artworks, but we also encourage you to participate in the SDGs Art Wall. The 17th SDG goal is “Partnerships for the Goals.” By writing your own mission on the Art Wall, you can contribute to the happiness of the world. We hope you will enjoy doing this, because when you realize that your small actions can help make the world a better place, isn’t that exciting? I believe this feeling of being connected to the world is what this art project aims to inspire.

In the future, this exhibition will also be displayed at the “Kumamoto SDGs Mirai Park” adjacent to Kumamoto Airport, as well as on the university campus. We hope to have many more people participate there as well.