Author Archives: Katsura Ishikawa

Announcing Elysha Rei’s Exhibition “Nanakorobi Yaoki 七転び八起き- Fall down seven times, stand up eight”

We are pleased to announce an exhibition Nanakorobi Yaoki 七転び八起き- Fall down seven times, stand up eight by Elysha Rei on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Elysha Rei is a Japanese-Australian visual artist whose work draws upon her mixed heritage and lived experiences between places, cultures and communities. Her works are created from personal and historical archives which embed narrative and symbolism within a Japanese design aesthetic. Works include portraits, patterns and paper cutting which have been translated into large-scale murals and public art commissions.

Since completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2008, Rei has created and exhibited work, curated exhibitions and managed cultural spaces across Queensland as well as Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin, New Zealand Thailand and the US.

Elysha Rei presents new papercut artworks created during an artist residency at Studio Kura, as part of an Asialink Arts 2018 Creative Exchange. These works are inspired by patterns found in the armour of her Japanese Samurai ancestor, Katagiri Katsumoto, and pay homage to her recent battle with breast cancer.

Asialink Arts made this happen, with support from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Elysha Rei “Nanakorobi Yaoki 七転び八起き- Fall down seven times, stand up eight”
Exhibition style: hand cut paper (kirigami)
Exhibition venue: Studio 2
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Carly Snoswell’s Open Studio

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We are pleased to announce an open studio to see Carly Snoswell’s studio practice on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Carly Snoswell is an Adelaide artist exploring fandom and the creation of craft objects as an ode to particular pop-cultural phenomenon through gendered and labourious forms of craft-making. Through this she attempts to validate these repetitive and obsessive tendencies that develop through involvement in fandom and hobby crafts, working to challenge notions of superficiality and inferiority to present the deep emotional connection that is felt through this engagement.

Snoswell was Co-Director of FELTspace ARI and has participated in studio residencies in Adelaide, Melbourne, India, New York and Iceland. She is currently completing Masters by Research at the South Australian School of Art, is a member of Holy Rollers Studios and Programming Coordinator at Carlcew’s Pom Pom.

Carly Snoswell will be showing a selection of textile explorations focusing on repetitive process, devotion and fandom.

Carly Snoswell’s Open Studio
Exhibition style: Textile
Exhibition venue: Studio 2
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Ho Chia-Lien’s Exhibition “Life cycle and painting record”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Life cycle and painting record
by Ho Chia-Lien on November 23 (Fri) to 29 (Thurs) , as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

Ho Chia- Lien lives and works in Taitung, graduated from the Western Painting Creation Group of the Fine Arts College of National Taiwan Normal University. The art studio was established in 2004. He likes to use watercolor as a medium to create new visual experiences, exploring the virtual and realistic aspects of watercolor, the theme and the associated spatial relationship.

In addition to painting, Ho also uses hair to create a special visual experience by exploring the memory of hair, the cutting of emotions, and the thought behind the act of cutting hair. Ho expresses a spiritual liberation and emotional tension, observing and feeling life.

Here are some words from the artist himself.

Usually I like to use watercolor as a medium to record new visual experiences.
This time I tried to create a new medium of hair and plants, showing the state of falling or abandoned in the life cycle. Reshape a new life by cutting with the past.

Ho Chia- Lien “Life cycle and painting record”
Exhibition style: New media and Watercolor
Exhibition venue: Studio 2
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 29 (Thursday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held on November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday).

Announcing James Wylie’s Exhibition “ぐるぐる, アップアップ (round and round, up and up)”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition ぐるぐる, アップアップ (round and round, up and up) by James Wylie on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

James Wylie is a video artist based in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Wylie completed a Master of Fine Arts at Elam, The University of Auckland in 2018 and his work has been exhibited in Aotearoa and internationally. Wylie’s practice explores how technology influences our bodies and our landscapes.

In 2014 Wylie lived in a rural sector of Tottori Prefecture, Japan, where he was introduced to the rhythms of the Satoyama 里山 (Japanese term for an area between wilderness and arable farmland). Satoyama seem exist in their own time frame, dependent on the cycles of weather and the seasons – cycles that modern technology attempts to repress. The Satoyama inspire a symbiotic relationship to a wider ecosystem. A relationship that encourages and embraces consistent negotiation with the landscape.

Here are some words from the artist himself.

ぐるぐる, アップアップ (round and round, up and up) is an artwork that strives to be in many times and places at once. Inspiration for this piece begins with the Satoyama, an ideal attempt at symbiosis between humans and nature. I see the Satoyama as a positive point within the storm of progress, a moment of success – adhering to values of care and patience. When we exercise expedited progress we are taken round and round and up, prone to many mistakes along the way, the Satoyama can exist outside of this maelstrom, a testament to sustainable ideals. However, this video is situated within this storm, trying to glean value from moments as they rush by.

James Wylie “ぐるぐる, アップアップ (round and round, up and up)”
Exhibition style: Video
Exhibition venue: Studio Kura Gallery
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Mariel Ypil’s Exhibition “Beneath Mountains & Skies”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Beneath Mountains & Skies by Mariel Ypil on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Mariel Ypil is an illustrator and creative writer based in Las Piñas, Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Visual Design and Communication in St. Scholastica’s College Manila in 2012.

She is inspired by the every day simple moments, along with whimsical themes, nature, as well as mystery and folklore. She writes stories about her illustrations, hoping to give more life to the characters she draws.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

Within every thing, may it be a leaf or the sky, lie spectacular finds that enthrall and amaze. One can never run out of curiosities to find in this world, especially if our eyes are open to see them. There are always stories to be told and new discoveries to be made. ‘Beneath Mountains & Skies’ is a collection of illustrations and stories about little spirits that delight in the wonder of nature, inspired by the diverse community of flora and fauna, as well as the rich landscape and playful tranquility that surrounds Itoshima.

Mariel Ypil “Beneath Mountains & Skies”
Exhibition style: Visual Arts
Exhibition venue: Studio 2
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Anna Zoladz’s Exhibition “Terra Incognita”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Terra Incognita by Anna Zoladz on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Anna Zoladz is an artist and game designer currently based in Birmingham, AL. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016.

Her work seeks to investigate and augment the relationship between myth, memory, and nature as a means of self-genesis. By using methods inspired by mechanical drawing, she hopes to delineate and recontextualize the invisible order that exists within entropic systems.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

Rocks are expressive, ponderous masses. Slow yet surging, they encapsulate the drama of the origin and fate of the physical world. Inspired by the symbolism and mythology associated with the local landscape, this work seeks to intercept and chart an unknown world of swelling terrains and plausible geological formations.

Anna Zoladz “Terra Incognita”
Exhibition style: Drawing
Exhibition venue: Studio 1
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Ana Fernández’s Exhibition “Patrones de movimento (Moving patterns)”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Patrones de movimento (Moving patterns) by Ana Fernández on November 23 (Fri) to 25 (Sun) , as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Ana Fernández is a multidisciplinary artist based in Santiago, Chile. Her work is around the fields of filmmaking, 2d animation, photography and film studies. She is visiting Studio
Kura thanks to a Chilean government funding from Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio.

She completed her Bachelor in Visual Arts in 2015 and on Filmmaking on 2016, both at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She also has participated in multiple workshops specialized in art direction for film, being the most recent at The London Film School in 2017. She has participated in multiple short film projects with screenings in various locations.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

This video installation displays a series of animated modular patterns, made from stamped textures of found objects from Studio Kura’s surroundings. Taking as reference the organic patterns existing in nature and the graphic patterns of some human-made objects, this project is an interpretation of how these shapes might change over time.

Ana Fernández “Patrones de movimento (Moving patterns)”
Exhibition style: Animated video installation
Exhibition venue: Studio 1
Date: November 23 (Friday) to 25 (Sunday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 23rd (Fri), starting at 13:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held at the same exhibition periods.

Announcing Yang Yu Pei’s Exhibition “Current”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Current by Yang Yu Pei on November 13 (Mon) to 19 (Tue) , as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

Yang Yu Pei is specialized in oil paintings ,mixed media , interior design,construction.and handcraft products.
He received BA in landscape architecture. Than he back to the east coast of Taiwan and started his art career.
2017, He participates in East Coast Land Art Festival. Taiwan. This piece kickstarted his installation series of”water script “
2018, He participates in Taiwan Biennial Art Festival at National Museum of Fine Art. And continue his project of water script

Here are some words from the artist himself.

I would like to show an installation inspired by the ocean current. Coming from Taiwan to Kyushu, I am taking the same direction of Kuroshio “Black Current”.
Continuing the spirit of my series of “water script”, I plan to collect materials found along the coast of Taiwan and Kyushu. I want to combine recycled materials with epoxy and fiberglass, with steel as the main frame to create my installation.

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Yang Yu Pei “Current”
Exhibition style: Installation
Exhibition venue: Kura gallery
Date: November 13 (Tuesday) to 19 (Monday), 11:00 to 17:00.
* We will hold an artist talk on 18th (Sun), starting at 15:30.
* Photo taken by Karolina Nowosielska

* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be held on Nov 23 (Fri/national holiday) to 25 (Sun).

Announcing Jolene Yeo’s Exhibition “Deterge”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Deterge by Jolene Yeo on October 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun) and 27 (Sat), 28 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura. This will be shown as a part of Itoshima International Art Festival 2018, Itoshima Arts Farm.

Jolene Yeo is a multi-disciplinary artist living in sunny little Singapore. Having always loved art, she has pursued and completed a Diploma in Apparel Design & Merchandising (Temasek Polytechnic), Diploma in Concept Art & Illustration (3dsense Media School) as well as Bachelor in Fine Arts (Lasalle College of the Arts). She has participated in two group exhibitions in Singapore as well as had her collection nominated for the IAF awards. She was placed in the Director’s List for 4 consecutive years in a row in Temasek Polytechnic and has been awarded Top Student by 3dsense Media School.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

Daily life is hectic and stressful, many times one can delve too deep into pressure and get consumed by negative thoughts that are toxic and mentally unhealthy. Inspired by the tranquil and serene surroundings of the Itoshima countryside as well as the spiritual support pets and animals can bring, Deterge explores the cleansing of the mind and soul in a slightly unorthodox and grisly manner.

Jolene Yeo “Deterge”
Exhibition style: Digital and traditional art (watercolor painting)
Exhibition venue: House 1, Living room
Date: October 20 (Saturday), 21 (Sunday), 27 (Saturday), 28 (Sunday) 11:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 1000 yen to purchase an Itoshima Art Festival 2018 (900 yen in advance, free entrance for kids aged under 7)
* We will hold an opening tour on Saturday the 20th, starting at 11:00.
* The exhibition by other current residence artists and other domestic & international artists will be held during the art festival period in Nijo area.

Announcing Nikki Lam’s Exhibition “Anchor: A Prelude”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Anchor: A Prelude by Nikki Lam on October 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun) and 27 (Sat), 28 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura. This will be shown as a part of Itoshima International Art Festival 2018, Itoshima Arts Farm.

Nikki Lam is an artist and curator based in Narrm/Melbourne, Australia. Nikki’s practice explores the complexity of belonging through the exploration of self, memory and space. Working primarily with video, performance, text and installation, she is interested in exploring the translations of hybrid identities, often through studies of rituals, language and representations.
Born in Hong Kong (1988), Nikki’s work has been shown at Underbelly Arts Festival (Sydney), SafARI (Sydney), The Substation (Melbourne), Australian Centre for Moving Image (Melbourne), Firstdraft (Sydney), BUS Projects (Melbourne), The Ferry Gallery (Bangkok), Galleria Marcollini (Forli, Italy), and toured around the world with Over View International Festival of Video Art.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

To remember is to have an anchor for your belonging.
Exploring the condition of movements, politics of memory and resistance of the colonial gaze, Anchor: A Prelude is a video exhibition that echoes the artist’s memory in a shifting context where the horizon is warped and time is irrelevant. It is a starting point, a resonance, an act of remembering—much like a warm reminder of a rootless home.

Nikki Lam “Anchor: A Prelude”
Exhibition style: Video projection (duration time: 3-4 minutes, loop)
Exhibition venue: House 2
Date: October 20 (Saturday), 21 (Sunday), 27 (Saturday), 28 (Sunday) 11:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 1000 yen to purchase an Itoshima Art Festival 2018 (900 yen in advance, free entrance for kids aged under 7)
* We will hold an opening tour on Saturday the 20th, starting at 11:00.
* The exhibition by other current residence artists and other domestic & international artists will be held during the art festival period in Nijo area.