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YUMIKO KAYUKAWA
May 10th - June 23rd, 2003
IN THE WAKE OF TIDAL WAVE “SUPERFLAT”,
COMES NEW JAPANESE PAINTER
Painter Yumiko Kayukawa brings “new Japan cool” to Southern
California
The phenomenally successful
“Superflat” show last summer uncovered California art scene’s
passion for all things Japanese. Kantor Gallery opens a new show
with the perfect anecdote: The candy-bright pop paintings of
Japanese painter Yumiko Kayukawa.
Kayukawa lives and paints in Sapporo
Japan and is quickly gaining world attention for her fashionable
young women, animals, and traditional Japanese motifs painted in
a comic book style known as “Manga”. As a teenager Yumiko fell
in love with the “energy and giddiness" of American pop-culture
through her exposure to rock n' roll, film and fashion. The
dreamy and enigmatically sensual tones make the subjects
mysterious and elusive, but the fantasy is mixed with realistic
depictions of the natural world. Insects, birds and animals are
always present, bringing a sense of the messy real world
crashing joyfully into the lives of the pristine beauties.
Traditional Japanese flower motifs and kanji characters used in
untraditional ways round out the compositions, creating a
jolting modern tone to the paintings.
It was through a close friend that
Kayukawa first came to the United States in 1997. She was
smitten with the music scene, vintage clothing shops, the art
shows, and the people. Her first show in the U.S., summer of
2001, set loose a tsunami - every painting she has shown has
been snapped up. Her last five shows sold out on opening night,
some even before. "I'd rather my paintings hang next to rock
star pin-ups than on museum walls," said Kayukawa with a smile.
"Ultimately, I want to connect with people all over the world on
that level." Critics and art buyers seem to agree that it's just
a matter of time.
Yumiko Kayukawa’s show opens at the
Kantor Gallery in Los Angeles on Saturday May 10th, with an
opening reception being held for the artist from 6-9pm. Show
will run through June 23.2003. For more information please
contact 323-933-6976.
Sold Out Show
Collectable Buttons Available
Edition of 100 - $5.00 each
All Artwork is Acrylic on
Illustration Board |
