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 Half Fool, Half Magus
Johann Sasynuik
Etching, Linocut, Altered Photos & Handmade Paper
Randa Hilal, artist
Johann Sasynuik was born in Winnipeg, Canada to Ukrainian parents. He describes
himself as "half fool, half magus" - a fool knows nothing and a magus knows
everything. While studying political science and communication at the
University of Washington, he was introduced to martial arts. Johann is known by
his students as "Sifu" which means teacher in Chinese. At the Kung Fu Club of
Issaquah, which he opened in 1992, he has students ranging in age from 6 to 96.
The Kung Fu style that he practices and teaches was brought to Seattle by Bruce
Lee in the 1950s. Sifu trained with James de Miles who was a student of Lee's.
Johann has several avocations: gardener, musician, martial artist, developer
and entrepreneur. He is a classical pianist and composer who played in a jazz
band for several years. He plays the guitar, flute, tin flute and the Bandura,
which is a Ukrainian folk instrument. He sings Old English sea chants, dances
and performs Cossack folk dances. Johann sees himself as a dragon which in
Chinese mythology controls water. The phoenix is another mythical creature that
Sifu Johann says represents him. The phoenix is often paired with the dragon,
representing both conflict and wedded bliss.
Inspiration
Where did it come from and how did it manifest itself?
The Man, the Kung Fu Master, the Musician ,the Daoist
The Environmentalist
The list goes on
Kabala Tarot Cards...Tree of Life
One of Johann's many interests is Tarot Card readings. That's what gave Randa
the idea to create an art piece with Tarot card format, the box and the Tree of
Life on the cover. Because Kung Fu and teaching the art of Kung Fu occupy an
important part in Sifu's life, that became the highlight of the artwork.
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