About
Cole Norton
Cole Norton’s work is rooted in Zen and the dynamic dualities of human nature—light and shadow, courage and fear, Yin and Yang. His paintings capture the energetic exchange between artist, model, and medium, bringing new beings to life through shared presence and intention.
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Bio
2008 Graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
2015 Taught figure drawing at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
2015-2020 Apprentice of Chinese master ink wash painter, Hakuro, in Tokyo
2017 Moved to Ome, Tokyo, Japan
2017 Received the Former Prime Minister, Murayama Tomiichi Award
2024- Master of Fine Arts, Japanese Painting, Kyoto University of the Arts
SOLO SHow
2021 "Life Flow", Monshuin Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
2021 “明歴々露堂々“, Yoh Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2019 “Our Beauty“, Yoh Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2017 "Breath of Existence" Gyokusenji Zen Temple, Ome, Tokyo, Japan
group exhibitions
2025 "Flowing Together -Arts from Japan-," Boppard Museum and St. Severus Church, Boppard, Germany
2023 "Open Tradition," Two-person show, Seiganji Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
2022 "Norton Figure Drawing Class Show," Ome Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
2020. "New Horizons," Var West Gallery, Milwaukee, U.S.A
2019 "Anna Uchiyama," Galerie Rachel Hardouin, Paris, France
2018 "Ma- Essential Void," Monshuin Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
"Yoshie Tachiki, Cole Norton, Ren Fujii Three person show", Gallery A Bientot, Tokyo
"和魂洋彩 Wakon Yousai," Gallery Ekoan, Ginza, Tokyo
2017 "30x30x30 Exhibition", Var Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
"Japanese and Chinese Ink art exhibition", Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo.
2016 "Figure Exhibition", Var Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
"Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Faculty Exhibition", The Frederick Layton Gallery, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Collections
Gyokusenji Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Kousaiji Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Monshuin Zen Temple, Tokyo, Japan
more…
Workshops / Class
Gyokudo Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Norton Figure Drawing Class, Tokyo, Japan
Schools in Tokyo, Japan and Boppard, Germany