ALLOTMENT | Our ALLOTMENT

ALLOTMENT is a travel award established in 2009 to commemorate the life and work of artist Naoko Yogo. The travel award provides opportunities for young Japanese artists to travel, with the aim of enhancing their experience, broadening their knowledge and vision, and developing and nurturing their work.

Before Yogo passed away in 2005, she devoted her time and energy to her allotment in London and her artistic career. It was an important part of her life, a source of great joy as well as hard work. Chris Roberts recalls one of her stories about her allotment: There were no taps on the allotment so she had to carry water there herself… She had worked out the bare minimum each plant required, no more than a glassful each… it was just a small habitual act of kindness that would result in something coming to fruition.

The Allotment aspires to develop a ‘biotope’: a territory of regular environmental and physical conditions in which individuals can realise their own form. In order to do so, firstly we organize an annual travel award to encourage the artist to be out of their studio by providing the Travel Award. Secondly, we organize a website where people can network and keep a record of their current activities. Thirdly, we organize various presentation platforms, such as interviews, exhibitions and reviews for our annual magazine, stimulating an exchange of ideas.
With respect to Yogo’s ethos of enthusiasm and care, paying attention to details with patience, and never fearing trial and error in developing both artistic practice and a community of artists. Hence, the ALLOTMENT would like to support artists who, like her, are guided by a passion to produce their work and endeavour to pursue their dreams.

2009.09.15
ALLTOMENT