NANCY SELTZER ART PRESENTS
THE GIRLS FROM KYOTO
AND OTHER CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE ARTISTS
Nancy Seltzer Art presents a fresh generation of artists in the distinctive group show The Girls from Kyoto and Other Contemporary Japanese Artists. As part of The Armory Show’s prestigious VIP program, this exhibition will be the inaugural New York viewing of five young female painters from Kyoto City University of Art. As a school known for producing some of Japan’s greatest contemporary talent, Kyoto City frequently elicits comparisons to the Fine Arts programs of Yale and Columbia. These young women produce images with visceral intensity and subtle allegorical meaning which are a throwback to painterly traditions of both Japan and the West.
Spanning a variety of media, the work of the young Yuki Itoda complements the painting of The Girls from Kyoto with dynamic works on canvas, wooden rounds, a diversity of Japanese papers, and a startling neon. Although first collected by Takashi Murakami and thrice exhibited at the older artist’s Gesai Art Fair in Tokyo, Itoda’s work is a departure from the anime derived style, and otaku references synonymous with Murakami. Rather, fascinated by the power of creation innate to women, Itoda creates series of fiery female portraits that border on brightly colored abstracts, with elements of Expressionist painting and at times graffiti art. He represents a clean break with the Murakami mania that has saturated the U.S. market.
The Girls from Kyoto and Yuki Itoda have never been shown in the United States and several of their works are newly commissioned for the exhibition.
The exhibition is rounded out with Noriko Yamaguchi, the innovative photographer and video performance artist who has created a global following. Commenting on contemporary culture she produces performances where her dancer’s body is covered with anything from the latest technology to peppermint chewing gum. Most recently she staged such a performance in and around the Carousel du Louvre for the 2008 edition of Paris Photo, to which Japan was invited as guest of honor.
The Girls from Kyoto and Other Contemporary Japanese Artists celebrates not only the captivating eye of a new generation of Japanese women, but also an enquiring eye on them, in the work of Yuki Itoda.
The best and the brightest of Japan are debuted in a modern day Salon setting at the St. Regis, where viewers may get a feel for living amid such vibrant art in an elegant Beaux-Arts residence on Fifth Avenue.
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About Nancy Seltzer Art
Nancy Seltzer Art is a corporation representing but not limited to diverse media of early career contemporary artists from Japan and other parts of Asia, many previously unseen in North America.
The St. Regis Residences, New York 2 East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York City
2 East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York CityExhibition receptions will be held March 3rd, 5th and 6th from 5:00p.m.– 8:00p.m.
A champagne press preview will precede the opening night reception,
Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
Work is available for sale.
Contact: Nancy Seltzer Art; Nancy Seltzer, 917-972-2202 or
Marissa Miller, 617-733-4368
RSVP: [email protected]
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