Bellagio Las Vegas Welcomes Japanese Calligraphist Sisyu

Now through January 31, art aficionados and guests can get an up close peek into the creative process of calligraphist Sisyu at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas.

Sisyu is Bellagio’s current Artist Studio resident, showcasing her work in the space adjacent to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art through the end of January. During her residency, Sisyu is working on three pieces, one of which that will be showcased at an MGM propery. Her colorful “Buddha” painting depicts Buddha as a “merciful light in the universe” and incorporates Sanskrit lettering. Her “Nakara” painting with a dark background and bright images of orange and yellow featuring white vertical calligraphy depicts the Nakara god, a dragon with an odd number of heads. Her “Phoenix” painting conveys her interpretation of the classic mythological tale of the symbolic bird.

Born in Japan, Sisyu began studying “Sho,” the art of calligraphy, at the age of six at the request of her grandparents. She moved to Tokyo to begin a professional career and revolutionized the art by integrating different materials, such as glass and metal, into her artwork providing a modern twist to traditional calligraphy.

During the time I spent with Sisyu, she meditated briefly and then painted a beautiful design in front of me. When asked what the characters conveyed, she responded, “My message here is that I want to communicate that no matter what anyone thinks you should be doing with your life, you need to listen to your own calling and find your unique path.”

Her work has been officially recognized by the Japanese government for her contributions to artistic and cultural production. She has widened the art of calligraphy to a global audience with exhibits at the 2011 Venice Biennale, the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts and Paris and has created unique Kanji characters for the Japanese opening of Disney’s “Inside Out” film.

Opened in 2018, Bellagio’s Artist’s Studio is part of the MGM Resorts Art & Culture Program, focusing on commissioning, collecting, supporting and presenting contemporary art in and around MGM Resorts destinations around the globe. The MGM Resorts Art Collection houses more than 800 pieces of art by over 200 artists.