Cabinet of Curiosities Show

In the group show "Cabinet of Curiosities," I am showing three pieces from the "Sojourning" series and four pieces from the "Iridescence" series.   Here are some photos including my works in the gallery.

I really like this gallery space with wooden floor and separating walls. Every corner turn, there are art works which delight our eyes. By following the artwork, we can go around the gallery and come back to the same spot, which makes us feel like going around again.  There is going to be a closing reception this coming Final Friday on December 26th.  The show was reviewed here  Wichita Eagle and here KMUW.

The performance by artist duo, Linnebur & Miller was part of this show.  I am proud that they are my artist friends since we were students at WSU.  I love their performances which have good and warm humor.  Not only that, their costumes and displays are always outstanding.  Their popularity has been growing. I am excited that I will be in another group show with them next March.

Upcoming Group Show

I am participating in this group show this month.  This is a show curated by my friend Heather Powell.  Hope to see you there! 

Roller Coaster Ride

Here are a couple of photos of my sculpture exhibited at the 2014 Arts Council Juried Exhibition at CityArts. The title is "Roller Coaster Ride."  I made it with a similar idea as my installation piece "Rewinding", using used video tape and paper cranes.  However, this piece has more aspects from the technique of crocheting.   When I was making it, it reminded me of the memory of taking a lesson in flower arrangement. (Sogetsu style, Japanese flower arrangement.)  The cranes were placed in the piece by my hand just like flowers were placed in the flower arrangement piece.  The artist's statement for this piece is here.

2014 Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit

My Sculpture piece "Roller Coaster Ride" was accepted to the 2014 Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit at CityArts, Wichita, KS.  The exhibition is open from today.   This year's Juror is Dr. Stephen Gleissner, former curator of the Wichtia Arts Museum and current owner for Gleissner Appraisal.

CityArts
334 N. Mead St. Wichtia, KS 67202
Final Friday Gallelry Opening:  Oct. 31, 2014, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

2014 B&A Show in Tokyo, Japan

先週、日本のB&A 展 に今回初めて、インストールから出席させていただきました。B&Aミニストリーズには２０１１年の東日本大震災後、主催者の町田先生にコンタクトをとって以来、メンバーとならせて頂いていますが、今回初めて、他のメンバーの方々ともお会いすることができました。
Last week, I participated in the B&A Show in Japan for the first time since the installation.  I have been a member of B&A Ministries since I contacted Rev. Machida after 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.  This time, I was able to see the other members of B&A for the first time.

ショーの場所は東京都目黒区美術館の区民ギャラリーです。
The show was held at the Kumin Gallery of Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo.

ギャラリーは地下です。アプローチの階段がわくわく感をそそります。

The gallery was in the basement.   It was exciting to be in this beautiful staircase area approaching to the gallery.

照明はプロの方がしてくださいました。

Installing and lighting were done by the contractors. 

今回のショーのテーマは「平和を想う」で、来年の戦後７０周年を記念してそれぞれの作家が平和を想いながら制作された作品が集められました。私の作品のタイトルは「平和への想い、次の世代へ」で、糸と使用済み柔軟剤シートを用いたインスタレーション作品です。

The theme for this year's show was "Think Peace." Artists created works commemorating the 70th anniversary since the end of WWII next year.  The title of my work is "Peace, To the Next Generation."  It was an installation piece with threads and used dryer sheets.

手前は香港から参加の三浦冨美子さんの作品 「In the Light」
The work in the front is "In the Light" by Fumiko Miura from Hong Kong.

今回のショーには４８名の作家の１００点以上の作品が展示されたそうです。ショーについての記事がこちらの「クリスチャントゥデイ」というオンラインマガジンに掲載されています。私の作品についても紹介されています。

「平和」というテーマは今年度と来年度の一環としたテーマだそうで、この美術展だけでなく、美術館などでの勉強会なども企画されているそうです。興味のある方はぜひ、ご参加ください。詳しくはB&A Centerまで

　

Over 100 works by 48 artists were exhibited this time.  The show and my work were introduced in this online magazine.  

They are planning to visit museums and other activities to continue to think and study about 'peace' during this year and next year.  If you are interested, please contact B&A Center.

More information about the 2014 B & A Show

Here is the announcement sheet for the upcoming B & A Show in Tokyo.   This is written only in Japanese, but the image of my installation piece is included.  It also has a map to get to Meguro Museum of Art.
I will be there for the opening reception on Oct. 21 from 15:00 - 18:00.  Hope to see you there!

Date:   21 - 26, Oct. 2014
Opening Reception:  21 Oct. 2014 15:00 - 18:00
Gallery opens:  10:00 - 18:00  22 Oct. - 25 Oct.
Closing day:  26 Oct. 10:00 - 16:00

Place:  Space A, Kumin Gallery, Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo
            2-4-36, Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 153-0063

Making a New Sculpture / Installation Piece With Dryer Sheets and Threads

I am making a new sculpture / installation art piece for a group show with 40 other artists in Tokyo in October.  It is the annual B & A Show organized by B & A Ministries, Japan.  All the work in this show are created by the artists who get inspiration from the Biblical passages.  This is my third year to participate in their show.  The theme of the show this year is "Think Peace".  It is for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII next year.  Here are some photos of my piece that I made for their announcement postcards.  For this sculpture / installation art piece, I am using dryer sheets again.  I enjoy using such everyday objects giving meaning from my own visual vocabulary.  The previous work with dryer sheets is here.  I am also using abounding yellow rayon threads in several techniques such as knotting, crocheting, and knitting.  The material of the thread was also used for my previous work.  Although I am never good at sewing or crocheting which requires precise accuracy, for this piece, I am just working with random manners, forgiving inaccuracy, which is very enjoyable.

The schedule for this show:

Date:   21 - 26, Oct. 2014
Place:  Space A, Kumin Gallery, Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo
            2-4-36, Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 153-0063

  

Our Lady Show - August Final Friday

Four pieces of my work from Iridescence Series are going to be included in 'Our Lady Show' for this coming Final Friday.  This is a group show with over 35 female local artists.  It sounds fun!

Date:  Aug. 29, 2014  4:00pm - 11:00pm

Place:  Go-Away Garage Gallery, 508 S. Commerce, Wichita, KS

5th Annual Crazy 8's Show at Gallery XII

One of my pieces from "Iridescence Series" is included in this invitational show this month.  Each piece of this series is one of a kind.  This piece has been one of my favorite pieces in this series so far.  The title of this piece is Iridescence #26.

In this show, almost 70 artists are showing their piece (one per an artist), so you will enjoy their varieties.  Gallery XII is the oldest cooperative art gallery in the area.  I am glad to show my work at this gallery for the first time!

5th Annual Crazy 8's Small Works Exhibition
At Gallery XII, 412, E. Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS

Final Friday Opening Reception will be 
Friday July 25, 2014
5:30pm - 10pm

Show is on view through August 26th.  

Rewinding - Installation Art with Origami Cranes & Used Video Tape

Here are some more photos of my new installation art piece "Rewinding."   This piece is made of paper and used video tapes.  I was always wanting to include origami elements in my installation art, so I am glad it happened this time, and I feel I want to do it more in the future.  It is natural for me to make origami pieces because I grew up making them as most of the Japanese kids do. 

I have noticed myself using more found objects, everyday objects, for my installation art lately.  This is probably because I like the idea of recycling.  And these everyday objects are quite inspiring!  Since I have many VHS video tapes that I no longer use, I thought it was a good idea to use them for my art rather than just throwing them away.  The artist statement of this work is here.  I made this piece to show at The First Wichita Emerging Artists Award Exhibit.  I hope to make this piece again at a different site. 

Wichita's First Emerging Artists Award Exhibit

Wichita's first ever Emerging Artists Award Exhibit was held during the Friends of Wichita Art Museum 55th Art & Book Fair last week.   The exhibit was sponsored by Arts Council Inc. of Wichita and hosted by the Friends of Wichita Art Museum (FWAM).  This was a special exhibit presentation of works by eight juried finalists at Century II, Exhibition Hall, May 9 -10, and the "La Noche de Fiesta" VIP Preview event, May 9th.

A painting by Tim Stone and a sculpture by Nam Le

For this exhibit and competition, I showcased my painting "Sojourning #16" and my new installation.

I started installing my installation piece from the morning of the first day of the event and finished it right before the jurors came to see the work.  It was nerve-wracking, but I had great fun making it. The finished work looked so fresh. 

Above all this fun, I was chosen as one of the three recipients of the cash award!  It is so encouraging to receive money through practicing installation art which is ephemeral and unsellable.   I would like to send my special thanks to the jurors, Dan Rouser, Mary Werner, Carl Mitchell, Tina Murano, Bradshaw Bernadette, and Lindsey Herkommer. I feel so humbled and honored knowing that each juror is a great leader in various art scenes in Wichita.  I also want to thank Christopher Gulick, the chair person of the Art & Book Fair event who supported us before and during the exhibit, and of course, I appreciate the person who nominated me to this event.

Sojourning #16

My installation "Rewinding", paper & used video tape, 2014

An article about the event is here.

Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Art and Book Fair “Emerging Artist Awards Exhibit”

I am making a new installation work for this event.  I was nominated as one of the 8 finalists.

Friends of the Wichita Art Museum Art and Book Fair

“Emerging Artist Awards Exhibit”

Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center

22 W. Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67202

VIP Opening, “La Noche de Fietsa” May 9^th 7-9:30pm

“Emerging” awards announcements held during the VIP Opening.

Tickets are available, $50.00 per person. 

Exhibit runs through the weekend of May 10-11.

Admission to the Art and Book Fair during weekend is free.

Iridescence Series

I have just uploaded the images of the paintings from my new series called "Iridescence" to my website.  I started this series in preparation for the solo exhibition at the Fiber Studio last fall.  They are mixed media paintings with threads.  Unlike other series of mine, the images of this series are fluid and unexpected.  Each image is unique and one of a kind.  I use the process of making them as the metaphor for the conceptual meaning of the work.  I hope you will enjoy the images as much as I enjoy making them!  The website page:  Iridescence Series

Wichita Art Day of Giving (ICT ArtDOG)

My paintings from the "Sojourning" series are going to be included in a group show to support the art organizations in Wichita KS.  This event is called Wichita Art Day of Giving  (ICT ArtDOG).

Date:  February 28, 2014 at 10:00 am - March 24, 2014
Final Friday Reception:  February 28, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
The place:  The Gallery at ArtWorks, 7724 East Central #300, Piccadilly Square at Central & Rock, Wichita, KS, 67206

The Gallery at ArtWorks is a beautiful commercial art gallery in NE Wichita which opened in 1978.  I hope you can make it to this show to check out my works and support the art organizations in Wichita!
For more information about the Wichita Art Day of Giving, go to ICT ArtDog