The Nanga school originated in 12th century China and flowered in Japan during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nanga literally means 'southern painting', referring to the Southern School in China from which it originated.

Nanga was originally the preserve of the Chinese scholar-gentry class but in Japan it was re-interpreted by artists of different social classes so that the designs became bolder, freer and more playful than those found in China. 

Peter Cavaciuti has been drawn by the poetic lyricism of nanga and is one of the few Europeans to have received a thorough training in Asian painting from the foremost artists in the field. 

Peter Cavaciuti is a professional artist and teacher. He has taught for over ten years and has exhibited at The Royal Academy, Salon de l'Aquarelle de Belgique, Galerie Leda Fletcher (Geneva) and The Urasenke Foundation (Kyoto). His work is published by The Art Group and he produced a Millennium Calendar for IKEA. He partly illustrated 'The Japanese Tea Ceremony' (Ivy Press, 1999) and 'Taoist Wisdom' (Bridgewater Books, 1999). Along with painting, his great love is Cha No Yu (the art of Tea). Many of his compositions reflect this interest in the placement and arrangement of plants and objects in his paintings.

Peter last exhibited at Daiwa Foundation Japan House from November to December 1999.