Author Archives: Katsura Ishikawa

Announcing Marcus Farr’s Exhibition “Material Patterns”

We are pleased to announce an exhibition Material Patterns by Marcus Farr on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

Marcus Farr is a Fulbright Scholar and leader Material Artifact, a studio interested in matters of material reference & assemblage. We look at concepts of natural histories and the invisible forces of nature, weather & age as processes for creating physical objects and sensory experiences. Our work seeks to introduce the mundane, the heightened and the potential of materials relative to our everyday interactions. We work wherever there is suitable commission to explore these roles through artistic or architectural medium. Vernacular patterns and templates for creating artifacts of cultural value are common themes throughout the work of the studio.

Here are some words from the artist himself.

Patterns is on going series discussing the mundane and everyday use of patterns in architecture, place, and landscape. It builds upon geometric history found in local craft such as textiles, buildings, gardens, and tapestries.
The work investigates the most simplistic processes that create basic scenarios using patterns of material and monochromatic hue.

Marcus Farr “Material Patterns”
Exhibition style: Pencil, Oil Pen, Intaglio
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Alexis Hill’s Exhibition “Burnables: 可燃物”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Burnables by Alexis Hill on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Alexis Hill is a printmaker based in Hanover, NH(New Hampshire) in the United States. She completed her Bachelor of the Arts at Dartmouth College in Middle Eastern Studies and Studio Art with a focus in printmaking in 2017 and now works in the Studio Art Department of her alma mater.
Alexis’ practice deals with interiors and the figure and how abstraction and layering relate to these forms and textures. She works primarily in woodblock, utilizing reduction techniques and both water and oil based inks.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

“Burnables” showcases a variety of mixed media pieces exploring visualization of the unfamiliar through memory. The paintings and prints operate outside of direct observation and interrogate feelings of distance as a foreigner in Japan mirrored in the distancing of process — prints covered by paint, exposed by sanding, recovered by collage and seeking resolution in layering. Abstraction of architecture and space is advanced through the building up of subconscious memory surfaces . The work represents an inquiry into the personal and idiosyncratic through imbalance and destruction of disposable, humble materials.

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Alexis Hill “Burnables: 可燃物”
Exhibition style: mixed media printmaking and painting
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Ashley B Favor’s Exhibition “Becoming (fully) Awake: (完全に)目覚める”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Becoming (fully) Awake by Ashley B Favor on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Ashley Favor is a visual artist based in Denver, Colorado. She focuses her efforts primarily on three-dimensional paintings that explore a diversification of mediums. She completed her BFA specializing in painting at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (2014).
Her work concerns the relevance of existence, connectivity, and relatability. She studies reoccurring forms, textures, and colors within natural and cultural settings as a source of contemplation. While all life on earth may appear to be visually differing, it is inexplicably linked thru existence. She translates this thru utilizing an array of mediums and processes while maintaining a thoughtful and meditative application.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

My work concerns harnessing and visually relaying sensations that I find most substantial in life. This pertains to feelings that we all commonly share such as energy, vibrance, connectedness, presence. I enjoy an exploration of processes in my art making that feel to me as natural formation and occurrence. My time here in Japan has allowed me to become more meditative, observant, and in tune with my surroundings. This opportunity has led me to become inspired by elements within the environment such as algae growing and water flowing.

Ashley B Favor “Becoming (fully) Awake: (完全に)目覚める”
Exhibition style: Mixed media painting on wood panel and paper
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Warren Goh’s Exhibition “Itoshima Childhood”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Itoshima Childhood by Warren Goh on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

Warren Goh has completed his WSQ Diploma at 3dsense Media School in 2017, finishing the Digital Design and Illustration course as the recipient of the Top Student Award. He has been nominated for the Live Draft by the judging panel of the Rookies competition, one of the highest honours for young upcoming talent in the field of Entertainment Design. He has since been employed as a Concept Artist at Mighty Jaxx Intl.

Here are some words from the artist himself.

There are magical moments that happen daily, and it takes a bit of looking to realise that they’re there – Children are great at doing that. I hope that by putting a little fantasy twist on them, we can rediscover the simple joys of living.

Warren Goh “Itoshima Childhood”
Exhibition style: Watercolour & Ink
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Serena Della Bona’s Exhibition “Essenza dei luoghi”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Essenza dei luoghi by Serena Della Bona on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Serena Della Bona graduated from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan.
Her journey in the world of art it’s made of research and experimentation of all kinds, in fact, to carry out her work the artist uses different materials and techniques. Not only painting but also sculpture and installations, in order to communicate a message, a state of mind, a fantasy. She teaches artistic workshops (illustration and painting techniques) open to people of all ages. Serena’s work has been showcased in various places in Italy and internationally. In 2018 her first illustration books are published.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

The installation consists of a collection of objects, watercolors and travel notes.
The artworks are made with different materials, inspired by the places I have visited during my stay in Japan. The fantasy characters are born from the observation of naturalistic landscapes. Among the travel notes there are also other landscapes, differing from the naturalistic ones; the city, countryside, ocean and the woods.

Serena Della Bona “Essenza dei luoghi: Notion of the place”
Exhibition style: Painting and installation art
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Tonje Horn Kolbjørnsen’s Exhibition “Fortsettelse følger”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Fortsettelse følger by Tonje Horn Kolbjørnsen on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Tonje Horn Kolbjørnsen is an illustrator from Bergen, Norway.
She completed her bachelor in visual communication at Bergen Academy of Art and Designin 2016, and has since been working on various personal projects as well as doing freelance illustration.
Her work can be described as colourful and whimsical, often done using traditional media like gouache and coloured pencils. Some of her favorite motives depicts animals and landscapes.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

During my stay at Studio Kura I have been working on the preliminary stages of a children’s book – focusing on developing my illustration style and building the world around the story. I have been drawing inspiration from the nature in Itoshima, and hope to incorporate this into the finished illustrations.

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Tonje Horn Kolbjørnsen “Fortsettelse følger: to be continued”
Exhibition style: Illustration
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Miriam Salamander’s Exhibition “Returning Lines”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Returning Lines by Miriam Salamander on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Miriam Salamander is a Munich based artist, who’s practice focuses on drawn based and printmaking work. In 2013 she completed her Bachelor in Fine Art Printmaking at the University of Brighton, UK. She has been awarded with the Printmakers Council Award.
The core of her practice lies in the imagery of landscape. By simplifying, deconstructing and abstracting landscape images, she investigates what defines an image, – which we call, describe and consider as a landscape image. Repositioning perceived elements of nature, lead her investigation into the conventions of depicting a landscape scenery.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

Miriam has created a body of work which represents an abstracted imagery of the natural surroundings and colour schemes of Itoshima. Her work has been lead by an investigation into the topographical features and a study into the landscape´s architecture, resulted in drawings, collages and moving images / video works.

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Miriam Salamander “Returning Lines”
Exhibition style: Video & Drawing
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Eric Strauss’s Exhibition “Building Journeys”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Building Journeys by Eric Strauss on May 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun), as a result of his activity during his stay at Studio Kura.

Eric Strauss :
“I am the son of parents who emigrated from Germany. Our family often went to museums and early on I enrolled in art school. My art training was comprised of two years at The Art Students League in New York and culminated with an M.F.A. degree in painting and drawing at Brooklyn College (CUNY).
My work follows the spirit of some of the great landscape painters of all time. I am a mid-career artist who has always been fascinated with the natural and built landscape. I enjoy the plain air painting process.”

Here are some words from the artist himself.

The black ball point and watercolor/pastel/gouache drawings I make represent a fantasy of building environments, Here I incorporate my love of architectural design to celebrate various structures in my mind.
Sometimes my journeys take me rural environments which also come through in my drawings.

Eric Strauss “Building Journeys”
Exhibition style: black marker pen, watercolor and pastel
Date: May 26(Saturday), 27(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 26th (Sat), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing Ruth Celeste Estigarribia’s Exhibition “A Sense of Place”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition A Sense of Place by Ruth Celeste Estigarribia on April 21 (Sat) & 22 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

Ruth Celeste Estigarribia lives and works in Asuncion,born in 27 December 1980, studied at “Instituto Superior de Arte, from Asunción National University.
Her work explores controversial elements in an urban Paraguayan context, researching subterfuges in our present, context and history. She is an artifice of actions and provocative reactions. Inspector of social Issues. Her urban intervention and installations are a subtle and conceptual approach that brings art into people´s lives, help and stimulate the critical points of different views, always using the group interaction and community participation by reclaiming of the city.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

An observation of local textures.
The found objects, shapes and textures of the environment I am in are central to my work. A series of metal grills and drain covers provide plates for direct embossing on handmade paper. Photographs of worn and faded surfaces or lines in the sand are converted to plates for hand printing. Ceramic shards found on the beach become the source for a Kintsugi sculpture. My work is an appreciation of Japanese places and aesthetics.

Ruth Celeste Estigarribia “A Sense of Place”
Exhibition style: Printing, Embossing and Instalation
Date: April 21(Saturday), 22(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 22nd (Sun), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.

Announcing JP Neang’s Exhibition “Heavy Ground”

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We are pleased to announce an exhibition Heavy Ground by JP Neang on April 21 (Sat) & 22 (Sun), as a result of her activity during her stay at Studio Kura.

JP Neang is an Artist & Creative Director, from The Bay Area, Caliornia. JP’s work has been showcased in various galleries in the US and internationally. She continues to push the boundaries of drawings, landscapes devoid of color with images that evoke stillness and playfulness. JP’s passion in the creative world extends beyond her art. She has taught creative education (Design Thinking, Creative Engineering, & the Arts) for 8 years working to inspire the world with her current project called “Imaginary Atlas”, an initiative to bring back the act of creating to children on a global platform.

Here are some words from the artist herself.

A micro showcase exhibiting works imaginative and inspired landscapes of Itoshima. It is titled “Heavy Ground” to focus a viewers perspective from a birds eye view. The greatest weight of life rests in the palm of our hands, which is both literal and symbolic in this showcase. I hope my works will challenge the limits of human fragility and give greater significance to all life on earth.

JP Neang “Heavy Ground”
Exhibition style: Graphite & watercolor on paper. Mounted on wood blocks
Date: April 21(Saturday), 22(Sunday), 11:00 to 18:00, free entrance
*JP Neang also gives workshop “POP! Paper Town in Stop Motion Animation” to kids on April 14(Sat), 21(Sat) and 28(Sat) 14:45～15:45, 16:45～17:45 (currently details available in Japanese blog)

* We will hold an exhibition opening party and an artist talk on 22nd (Sun), starting at 15:30.
* The exhibitions by other current residence artists will be also held on the same dates.