The Gallery: Yumiko Kayukawa

We've always hated the label of "lowbrow art", especially when used in reference to artwork like that of Japanese painter, Yumiko Kayukawa. Her colourful works are a series of imagery collision, combining Japan's serene visual past with her graphic-bombarding present. Motifs borrowed from traditional Japanese artwork mingle with fetching posed models straight out of Non-no magazine. A looming ninja stands poised to strike, helpful squirrels open chopsticks, wolves playfully lick their lovely human packmate, and elephants share bananas...a surreal kaleidoscope that perfectly captures the spirit of the name of her show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, "I'm from Japan. My father is Ninja. My mother is Geisha" .

From July 7-30 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone 323-666-7667 Fax 323-663-0243

Comments (1)

Check out Alex Grosss art (http://www.alexgross.com/). He takes a very different spin on the Japanophile vs. Lowbrow mash-up.
Yuko Shimizu (http://www.yukoart.com/) is also a great illustrator with a heavy Nihonjin influence. Fujiyama-Geisha-Rio De Janeiro has to be my favorite by her. Its so tongue in cheek. I love how it juxtaposes traditional Japanese art with pop art. I also think Shimizus art has a lot more depth than Kayukawas, which typically borders on kawaii (read Sanrio Hello Kitty).
Thats not to say that Kayukawas art is any less relevant. Takashi Murakamis art is very kawaii (remember the Louis Vuitton bags), but hes had a big impact on the art scene, IMHO.
Hop on over to StrangeCo (http://www.strangeco.com/) for lots more of this kind of art and art toys.

posted by RP on 2006-07-14 14:21:08