Hidden Flowers: A Book Launch with Keiko Honda

Join us for a special evening celebrating the new memoir by the remarkable Keiko Honda, scientist and a Vancouver champion of the arts. This illuminating new work explores the transformative power of artistic self-expression, exemplified by the Japanese concept of “hidden flowers.”

Grappling with emptiness, loneliness, and the challenges of aging following her daughter’s departure for university, Honda faces a new phase in her life — a life that has been filled with amazing achievements and debilitating setbacks — through deep introspection and reflection-in-action.

Hidden Flowers is an exploration of shifting identity, transition, artistic expression and community building. It investigates the forces of attachment, belonging, cultural expectations, and the intricate dance between tradition and modernity. It reminds us of the power of art and its ability to bring people together, especially in an era when isolation is epidemic.

Illustrated throughout with Honda’s watercolour paintings, Hidden Flowers is an inspiring journey that will bolster the spirits of anyone who is experiencing a difficult transition in life or looking for a creative outlet.

This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

More about the author:

Keiko Honda is a scientist, writer, community organizer and painter. She holds a PhD in international community health from New York University and had a research career at Columbia University, which was interrupted when she suddenly contracted a rare autoimmune disease that confined her to a wheelchair for life. After moving to Vancouver in 2009, Honda began hosting artist salons, for which she was awarded the City of Vancouver’s Remarkable Women Award in 2014. She founded the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society to bridge generations and cultures through the arts and to offer members of marginalized communities opportunities for artistic self-discovery. She teaches the aesthetics of co-creation in the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program at Simon Fraser University.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on literature in translation, climate solutions, poetry, civic dialogue, community and skills building, all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.

Questions: hello[at].

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