| From October 9 - November 6, 2004, The Folk Tree Collection is pleased once again to present a one person exhibition featuring the work of Joel Nakamura, award-winning illustrator and fine artist. In this show entitled Ephemeral Soup: Silly Paintings During Serious Times, Nakamura uses his keen sense of humor and critical social eye to reflect on contemporary issues in his paintings on tin. His unique style is a blend of folk art and sophisticated iconography rendered in a primitive technique. A reception for the artist is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, from 2 - 6 P.M. In this installation, Nakamura returns to his most popular imagery, exploring cross-cultural pollination, and blending modern and ancient symbols. A godzilla-like creature with a dragonfly tail, a chameleon attached to a UFO, and other hybrid animals populating dream-like settings reflect the nature of this recent body of work. Joel Nakamura's tin paintings explore ideas inspired by Mexican folklore, retablo painting and road signage. These tin works follow the 19th and 20th century tradition of painting religious images on sheets of tin in central Mexico. The method Nakamura uses includes applying gesso to tin, then painting images in acrylic paint on the surface. He then embosses his paintings by flipping them, placing them on a hard rubber mat, and punching them from behind with a metal-working tool and hammer. Nakamura graduated from Art Center College of Design (1982), where he also served as an instructor. Nakamura's clients run the gamut from record companies to editorial and corporate commissions. He has been recognized by Communication Arts magazine as one of America's foremost illustrators, and he has been commissioned to create works for the Los Angeles Times, U.S. News and World Report, Time and Business Week. In 2002 he was chosen to illustrate the Salt Lake Opening and Closing Ceremonies programs for the Winter Olympic games. He received this honor because of his knowledge of tribal art and for his ability to convey diverse information in an intricate, engaging manner. The artist splits his time between fine art and illustration projects. He was born in the Los Angeles area and currently resides with his family in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Folk Tree Collection is located at 199 S. Fair Oaks Ave. near the heart of Old Pasadena and close to the end of the 110 freeway (just fifteen minutes from downtown Los Angeles). Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For further information, contact Gail Mishkin at (626)793-4828. |
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