SUZANNE PERRIN B.A. (Hons); M.A.

Specialist in Japanese History, Art & Culture; other subjects include Western History of Art, Chinese & Korean History of Art & Culture.

Languages: Japanese and French

Certificate in Nihonga Painting. Nagoya University of Arts, Japan 1987

Suzanne Perrin studied Nihonga traditional Japanese painting at Nagoya University of Arts in Japan, and has worked extensively to bring many years experience to promoting Japanese culture through lectures and events to a wide public at all levels.

Ms.Perrin has worked for Japanese organisations in London and Japan, has promoted Japanese culture on Sky TV, on radio for BBC’s ‘Women’s Hour’, and on local radio stations in Australia, New Zealand, and Cape Town in South Africa during lecture tours to those regions.

Suzanne contributes lectures and courses for universities and museums in the UK including Asian Arts courses at the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, SOAS London University, University of Brighton and University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Articles published by Suzanne include; historical and contemporary aspects of Japanese architecture, gardens, design and lifestyle for Insight Japan Magazine, Nichi-Ei Times, The Japan Society Review, NADFAS Review, Odyssey Magazine SA and other periodicals.

She is currently working on The Old Kyoto Shops Project

Biography

Studied Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) at Nagoya University of Arts Japan, 1986-87. Studied Japanese language attaining Japan Foundation Level 3. Since then have made regular visits to Japan over twenty years for research, and conducted guided tours of Japan and China for students and adult groups.

Taught Japanese History & Culture and Western Art History at Richmond American International University in London for twelve years, (1989-2001) and at Huron University USA for three years in London; visiting lecturer at University of Brighton Art & Design School for four years; visiting lecturer at University of Cape Town, S.Africa.

Lectures for the British Museum / SOAS Asian Arts course, V&A Museum Asian Arts course, Universities, NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society), ADFAS (Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society) and DARTS SA (Decorative Arts Society, South Africa).

Founded Japan Interlink in 1995 in order to promote cultural and educational exchange between Japan and the UK, organising Japanese cultural events in UK including Kimono exhibitions and Japanese traditional dance groups, and setting up student exchange programmes between universities in Japan and the UK.

Has worked for Japanese organisations in London and Japan, and promoted Japanese culture on Sky TV and on radio, being interviewed twice on BBC’s ‘Women’s Hour’ and on local radio stations in Australia, New Zealand and Cape Town S.Africa. Published many articles on historical and contemporary aspects of Japanese architecture, gardens, design and contemporary lifestyle for Insight Japan Magazine, Japan Society Review, Nichi-Ei Times, NADFAS Review, Odyssey Magazine SA and others.

Organised Japanese cultural events for the Japan Festivals 1990/91, 2001/02 and 2008/09, with several Kimono exhibitions including Kekkon Style: Japanese Wedding Costumes at the London Fashion & Textile Museum in 2009.

Gave lecture tours on Japanese Art & Culture in Australia in 1987 , 2000 and 2008 for ADFAS, and lecture tour in South Africa for DARTS in 2002/2008/2010. Contributed lectures on Japanese History, Culture and Arts to University of Cape Town’s summer school programme in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009 , 2010. Currently doing research project in Kyoto, Japan, involving traditional textiles and trades industries.