Exhibition: Paintings by Yoshihiro Youkee Nishida

CRS presents “The Only Person in the Vast World! Practice Accessing Vital Source Through Art,” an exhibition of acrylic paintings on burlap by Yoshihiro Youkee Nishida that explores the relationship between materials and between materials and artist. The exhibition will be on view from December 4, 2017 – February 6, 2018.

Think of the painted object dancing. In this art series the painting and the burlap are dancing together as one object in space. The painting and the burlap exist in a symbiotic relationship with each other. Without both together the art would not exist. The confluence of energy, like the Dance of Shiva, is the cause of creation. A reciprocity exists between the materials, textures, colors, paint and media used in this series. One might say this of the materials of any art works; here, the artist asks us to focus on it and enter into relationship with the energies of the materials. We might feel some life force in the materials, some sense of their participation in the creation, of their volition even, and of the artist’s gratitude. We might feel as if the artist is collaborating with the materials, and that we, by meditating on this, join in the relationship.

Materials: Burlap, Acrylic paint marker, Acrylic

Artist Statment:

“Art de Genki” is the name I have given to my art. It means Art through Vital Energy. My approach to art changed after moving to New York City and working full time as a gardener. Previously I was a full time artist working inside a studio. Now I am a part time artist. As a gardener in Battery Park City Parks, I work outside in all seasons and in all weather conditions. Since 2006, from April through October on weekends and holidays I create chalk drawings in the park. This is one of my major forms of Art. The park itself has become my studio and the pavement is my canvas.

I am very aware of Nature all around me:  sky, river, clouds, trees, plants, flowers, animals, and many people. I sense the energy of the world around me.

While creating my drawings in public I feel that I am also a performance artist as people are watching my creative process. I am also observing myself drawing. Yet while I am drawing I am not so much aware of the chalk, the pavement or the movement of my hands. More deeply, I am open to the Vital Energy flowing through me and around me. I am practicing deeply and delivering my energy over my art. Art has become my Spiritual Practice.

BIO:

Youkee was born in Kyoto, Japan. After receiving a law degree from Kwansei Gakuin University, he decided to pursue his true passion – art – which brought him to the United States. He has completed MFA programs in printmaking and lithography at the Otis Art Institute and Cranbrook Academy of Art, and currently lives in New York.

His solo shows over the past 20 years have included exhibitions at the following venues:

• 2004 Gallery MOMO in Tokyo, Japan
• 2004 Osaka Sogo Design School in Osaka, Japan
• 1999 Maruka Moko Show Room in Hiroshima, Japan
• 1998 Osaka Contemporary Art Center in Osaka, Japan
• 1998 Pinpoint Art Gallery in Tokyo, Japan
• 1997 Kumamoto Pref. Art Museum in Kumamoto, Japan
• 1997 Osaka Contemporary Art Center in Osaka, Japan
• 1996 LA FONTE Gallery in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan
• 1994 OJAI Center For The Arts, Ojai, Calif.
• 1991 Dentsu AD Gallery in Tokyo, Japan
• 1990 HALS Gallery in Tokyo, Japan
• 1990 TOSO Show Room in Tokyo, Japan
• 1986 ARTSPACE INC. Gallery in Los Angeles, Calif.
• 1986 MM SHINO Gallery in Los Angeles, Calif.
• 1984 ATHEN Gallery in Tokyo in Japan
• 1984 ATHEN Gallery in Tokyo in Japan

He is often found creating art at Battery Park City Park on sunny days.

Youkee’s complete resume can be read at CRS. His “soul profile” is below:

When I was a student on the way home from my part time job one day, I felt I would be a person to be alone with myself looking up over the sky! What did I mean by that? I just let it go without thinking deeper for a long time. After graduating from college, I started studying art in Los Angeles. Then I moved to New York. As a street artist here after releasing myself from a limited studio to the open space in the park, the Sun, Wind, Rain, trees, flowers, birds, all other nature, including wild animals, tourists, walkers, joggers, in all other people and nature, I continue drawing my paintings there patiently…. noticing and observing myself alone in such an environment….

Alas……this is “The Only person (being myself, without anyone nor family) in the vast world!”
Now I understood.

Being myself and being in the present moment by observing everything around me and my soul…from this comes oneness with the universe, nothing needed! Just Be!

http://www.artdegenki.com