After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in north east Japan on 11 March 2011 power supplies, land lines, mobile phone networks and internet access failed, making it extremely hard to contact family and friends to find out if they were safe. The post office was quickly up and running again and in many cases the first news of survival was by postcard.

Postcards From Japan – A Message From Tohoku Artists is a collection of A5 artwork postcards by 22 artists from north east Japan who, in the face of tragedy give an insight into the grace and resilience of the Japanese spirit.

Curators Kate Thomson and Hironori Katagiri also invite artists and poets, of any age or stage in their career, to send tangible messages of support to communities affected by the earthquake by making A5 size original artwork or poetry postcards. These works will feature in future exhibitions touring towns and cities on Japan’s north east coast. For more information visit www.postcardproject.org

A full colour catalogue is available from Ikon Shop, priced £5, with all profits going to support artists in Tohoku working on recovery projects in the regions hit by the tsunami.

Postcards From Japan – A Message From Tohoku Artists is supported by the Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.