The documentary UKOAPKAS captures a remarkable moment of cross-cultural collaboration that took place in June 2024 in Nibutani, Hokkaido. In a unique lino print cultural exchange workshop, Aboriginal artists from Australia and Ainu artists from Japan came together to explore and create new forms of art by blending their traditional design styles.
Hosted by the Global Station for Indigenous Studies and Cultural Diversity (GSI) at Hokkaido University, and supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation and Biratori Town, the workshop served as a platform for artists to engage deeply with each other’s cultural expressions. Through shared practices and mutual respect, they crafted artworks that honored the distinct yet spiritually aligned aesthetics of their cultures.
Directed by Associate Professor Meng Qu and produced by Assistant Professor Kanako Uzawa, UKOAPKAS documents this creative exchange with sensitivity and insight. The film highlights how both Aboriginal and Ainu art reflect a profound respect for natural materials, framing this shared philosophy as a dialogue toward sustainable cultural futures.
UKOAPKAS is more than a documentary, it is a testament to the power of art in bridging cultures and forging new paths for indigenous expression in a globalized world.