Yoshimura san, and staff, thank you for letting me join Stream 2020, Group show at Art Point Gallery.
Also I would like to thank those who came all the way during this difficult time for viewing the show.
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Mixed Feeling
Most of us tend to stay at home due to the recent pandemic COVID 19 and I’m no exception. I work at home, buy things online, and when going out, its grocery stores, and clinics which are in walking distance. I re-started to practice yoga in the class, which is very popular so I have to go to the gym very early to secure my position. The gym is limiting the number of participants to avoid infection. In another gym, participants have to draw a stick (lottery) to be selected, because there are so many participants wishing to join the yoga class in the limited space.
During this strange time, I do not have to travel by public transportation, in which as a result I have more time at home. I can cook and of course paint more at home.Also it is a good opportunity to straighten out mess at home. On the other hand, I feel scared and sad because still many people are infected. The painting below is titled “Mixed Feeling” 36”x47”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art. This is the one being exhibited in the group show, Stream 2020, Gallery Art Point, Tokyo now.
Stream 2020
One of my work will be exhibited in Gallery Art Point in Ginza, Tokyo. (Top right is my work)
Mr. Yoshimura, and staff, thank you very much for letting me join your group show.
The show will be open as follows:
12:30-19:30 Mon. June 29-Sat. July 4 (Closed at 17:00 on Saturday）
If you are in Tokyo during the above period , please join us for enjoying the art!
Iris
My American art teacher sent me her web site featuring katagami (stencils) for kimono collection before the wartime. I was just reading Iris in her website and I realized this is the season for iris. We can wear the kimono with iris patters at this time of the season. Otherwise, you don’t look chic.
May 5 is Children’s day of national holiday in Japan. We decorate worrier dolls wearing armors, iris, dumplings. One of the meaning is braveness. Iris is favorable design for armors, because of its meaning. Also we used to float iris in the hot water in the bus tub to repel evil spirit.
Below is one of my work in 2018, “Lights in the Dark”, Acrylic on canvas, 24”x29”, ©Kikuko Sakota Art It has nothing to do with “iris” but one of the message behind is power of nature which we always feel.
Stay safe
Japan will be in the state of emergency until the beginning of May. In this crisis of the globe, I just can imagine hardship of especially those with family members in critical condition and also medical staff. Many of us have various types of worries and difficulties.
As an individual and a tiny one Japanese and global citizen, all I can do is to stay safe.
The below is the work titled, “Lights” Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 6”x9”,2020,©Kikuko Sakota Art
Yellow dots in the painting are the sun lights coming between branches of trees or lights of stars in the dark sky, which I attempt to mean “Hope”.
2020
A year of 2020 started peacefully and many of Japanese and the world have been looking forward to Tokyo Olympic Games. But now many of us are concerned about Corona Virus, which is unexpectedly highly contagious. I see almost all people wearing masks in public. Social distancing is happening: People are staying at home, schools are closed, etc. Even though it was reported in the news that it is not lethal, there are the deceased somewhere in the world every day. I just can wish those affected to get recovered and all the people not to catch it or be strong even immune to the virus.
The following is one of the recent works titled “Ancient Memory”,Acrylic on canvas, “6"x9”, 2020, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
2020 Member Exhibition, Berkeley Art Center
2020 Member Exhibition will be held in Berkeley Art Center, from January 11 to 25, http://www.berkeleyartcenter.org/2020-members-exhibition
One of my works will be displayed there. When you are in S.F. or near Berkeley, please come join us.
Espacio Gallery London
The group show has been taking place from September 24 to September 29 in Espacio Gallery in London, where my work has been exhibited . This group show was organized by Gallery Art Point Tokyo. Mr. Yoshimura, thank you very much.
I did not go to the site this time, but some day I want to visit London.
Here is my artist statement for this show.
Recently Kikuko Sakota has been trying to capture the invisibles, especially, time such as the moment when she exists, passing moments, time space where she explores in particular places, or doing particular activities. One of the recent themes is music, in particular, jazz, especially jazz in 1950’s. Her attempt has been to create passing time space of jazz consisting of melody, rhythm, sounds, tones, etc. with acrylics and pastels on canvases. To express minor tunes, she avoids use of primary colors to finish painting but secondary colors and to describe improvisation of jazz, she spontaneously employs various brushstrokes to apply acrylic layers of different thickness. Referencing to the anecdote about Miles Davis, who did not point out mistakes of the pianist during the performance but he covered them up with the ad-libs, she also tries to liberate colors and compositions.
Today Is A Gift
Occasionally I am inspired by lines of lyrics or poems. One day suddenly one line hit upon me. “Today is a gift” Later on I learned that this is one line of the poem of one American poet and also I heard one American president or his wife referred to this sentence.
While cleaning and organizing at home, I found a very old notebook and saw one message from a teacher of my elementary school. It said, “Today never comes back.”
I tend to indulge myself in daily routine and humdrum. At home I am an oldest and nobody scolds me anymore. The comment of my teacher is a stimulant for self-indulgent person like me.
The painting below is tilted as Today Is A Gift, Acrylic and Pastel on Canvas, 52”x64”, 2019, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Thanks to all
My solo show ended on July 14. I would like to thank Ms. Higuchi, gallery owner, and staff for having my show and audience for coming all the way during the rainy season to view my work. Many thanks to all!!
Solo Show at Y Art Gallery
My solo show has been held at Y Art Gallery since July 9. It will be on until July 14.
Opening hours are 11:00-19:00(The last day ends at 17:00) Please join us when you are at it.
Kikuko Sakota Solo Show
My solo show will be held at Y Art Gallery, Osaka from July 9 to July 14.
The gallery is open from 11:00 to 19:00. (The first day starts at 13:00 and the last day ends at 17:00)
Please join us when you are at it.
Row Row Row Your Boat
♫ Row row row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. ♫ (Cited from Youtube). This is one of favorite children’s songs that I used to sing. Now I realize that “life is but a dream sounds harsh to me.
My boat is floating down the stream, smoothly, but occasionally it is involved in the rough streams, and almost upturned. Sometimes I want to stop rowing but my boat is drifting to unexpected direction.
The painting below is titled,”Stream”, 24”x29”, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 2019©Kikuko Sakota Art
Bohemian Rhapsody
Today I watched the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, which is Queen-music packed movie.
The lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody goes,”Mama, I killed the man…” I just recall one interpretation is that Freddy discovered his bi-sexuality and said good-bye to old himself. But after the movie, another interpretation came upon myself. It is not a sad song to say good bye to his parents as a good boy but a sort of happy song where a new man is born.
If I am to apply this idea to my philosophy “Every day is a new day. We can be born again”.
I am in the long journey of my life and also in a journey of painter. It does not just improve my skill, not just show more paintings, but it is the journey to discover myself.
The following is titled as Dreaming “13”x18”, Acrylic and absorbent on canvas, 2019 ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Reviewing the Last Show and Next Step
I have been preparing for the next show this year. I want to try something different from the last time. There is always something to be improved. Different themes, different techniques, etc.
Below is the video of the last show. It’s important to look back at the past to try something new and move forward.
2019 Happy New Year
I am grateful for new encounters, experience, and opportunities in 2018. I also realize small but happiness in daily life, which I should not take it for granted.
The painting below is tilted Just Another Day, Acrylic and oil stick on canvas, 24”x29”, 2019, ©Kikuko Sakota Art
Textile
Just 2 years ago, I attended a textile workshop. I used collage, stamp, and drawing by oil sticks on paper and which were printed on clothes like this. I have been still keeping it in my room and now I am looking forward to making my bag.
Gallery Gora
Gallery Gora, Montreal, Canada, has been showing my work from time to time since 2006 when I had a solo show there. If you have a chance to visit Montreal, please visit Gallery Gora.
The below are the enlarged image of my work displayed, Butterfly, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 64"x52" 2006, ©Kikuko Sakota Art, the image of the gallery in 2017, and the gallery catalog.
Many Thanks
I would like to thank Noho M55 Gallery for making possible my show and many people for viewing my work. Also the art-packed NY stay has made me realized the peace of daily life at home has allowed me to paint. Many thanks.
Blue
Firstly I would like to express deepest condolences for the victims by the storm in western Japan.
The recent theme for paintings of mine is time and space. Especially I have focused on time. While staying in this moment, my mind goes back and forth; travel to the past or future. I hold yearning hearts to the past, someone who left me, or some place I left. Also music creates flows of melody, which our heart and mind get along with. Hope you will enjoy this theme in my paintings in the coming show.
The painting below is titled Blue, which I was inspired by the immature death of a Japanese singer, who were active 1970's. I was too young to appreciate his performance but Now I learned how passionately and lyrically he sang at that time.
Acrylic and pastel on canvas. 29"x36", 2018 ©Kikuko Sakota Art.