Hugh Cann lived in Hiroshima, Japan between 1986 and 2000. He has studied shodo since 1987. His zen'ei (avant garde) work has been shown in several exhibitions throughout Japan and received various awards. Further, he held five successful exhibitions in Hiroshima and was often interviewed on TV, radio and in the local press; his second exhibition was very well received in a half page review in an English language national daily, the Asahi News. In 1997 he conceived, produced and performed a work "Angels of Infinite Space" in collaboration with Peter Coates a British koto player and long-time friend and resident of Hiroshima, and two Japanese percussionists combining music, poetry and live demonstration of his avant garde work. On the strength of this he was commissioned to do a subsequent work at the opening of a private gallery. In 1998 the Bank of Hiroshima commissioned him to do the poster for their spring campaign. He is currently ranked 3rd dan. As a mark of cultural recognition he was appointed as a member of the Concept and Planning Committee for the annual National Culture Festival staged in Hiroshima in 2000. Cann also is an accredited instructor of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and currently ranked as 3rd dan. And he also holds a 3rd dan rank in Iaido a series of sword kata based on mind / body unity and awareness. All of this is consistent or shall we say supplemented by 17 years experience of Zen Buddhism.

1990    Exhibit - Hiroshima Prefectural Art Exhibition.

1993    Exhibit - Toyo Shogei In National Public Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery.

1994    Special Commendation - Toyo Shogei In National Public Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery.
      Exhibit - Fuji Sankei (Media) Corp. International Exhibition.
      First One-Man exhibition - Inax Space, Hiroshima.

1995    Special Commendation - Toyo Shogei In National Public Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery
      Special International Award - Fuji Sankei (Media) Corp. International Exhibition.

1996    Second One-Man exhibition.
      Judges Special Choice Award - Fuji Sankei (Media) Corp. International Exhibition.
      Exhibit - Dai San Bunmei Exhibition, Fuji Art Gallery, Shizuoka.

1997    Excellence Award - Fuji Sankei (Media) Corp. International Exhibition.
      Art in Performance Work - Angels of Infinite Space, Tengu Square Gallery, Hiroshima

1998    Third One-man Exhibition - Art Space HAP, Hiroshima.
      Second Art in Performance work at private residence of president of Juken Industries.
      Spring Campaign Poster - Bank of Hiroshima.

1999    Short video production - "Perfect Day" writer, producer, director, lead character.
      Jazz singer Izumi Kimoto CD cover "Miyabi"

2000    Collaborative Exhibition - LIP Gallery, Hiroshima.
      Fourth One-Man Exhibition - Art Space HAP, Hiroshima.

2002    Debut Australian one-man show sponsored by the Japan Foundation of Australia.