－A New Way of Supporting Art－
Exhibiting Artists - Colors Up Close, Gradations at a Distance -
Iori Yoshimoto
Discovering new materials through experimenting innovative processes is an important aspect of my art work. For example, a glossy surface with subtle atmosphere was created on my work by mixing graphite powder with dark China ink. To achieve this subtlety, graphite powder was first dissolved in glue, spread on the surface using a painting knife, dried thoroughly, polished with sandpaper to make it glossy, and finally coated with China ink to be tarnished. I also tried to create mysterious atmosphere by spreading pearl-color acrylic paint instead of graphite on the surface and then mixing with China ink. Ceramic powder was also used in some cases. Discovering these new materials was a lesson I learned from trying various types of art, including painting, sculpture and ceramics. The selection of the materials being used in this process is my originality.
A dominant theme of my art work is to combine the lively element of improvisational and accidental actions taken at the site of art making with the views of nostalgic scenery which were kept deep in my heart. The reason I always bring new materials which I may not be familiar with to the site of art making is to bring various uncontrollable elements intentionally into the process. Naturally, there will always be serious tensions and conflicts between the uncontrollable elements and the artist who tries to control the process. The art work that comes out of this intense process presents stillness and tranquility, just like the quietness prevailing after a festival.
1978 Born in Toyama, Japan / Lives and works in Yokohama, Japan
2001 Studied at B-SEMI Learning System, Art theory
Selected solo exhibitions
2013 "Iori Yoshimoto" M.Z Arts, Yokohama
2013 “A constructed landscape” Studio Beneath the Rails site-A gallery, Yokohama
2013 “A sea or a mountain or something” Amaxa Zaigo Museum of Art, Kumamoto
2013 Live performance “Road” blank Class, Yokohama
2012 "Aufheben - A loss for words turns a magnificent view" blanClass, Yokohama
2012 "Graphite and Ink" nitehi works, Yokohama
2012 "Impurity and saints" Tur als Holz von neben Strand, Yokohama
2011 "Fine-scape" coco laboratory, Akita
2010 “Kire Gire" blanClass, Yokohama
2009 “Suki - Landscape" coco laboratory, Akita
Selected group exhibitions
2014 "Amakusalone" Amaxa, Kumamoto
2014 "Koganecho VS Haishakkei Natsu no jin", Ibaraki
2014 "Koganecho Bazar 2014", Yokohama
2014 "Colors Up Close, Gradations at a Distance" Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo
2013 “Art DE Kogane” 1-1 studio, Yokohama
2013 “The first visit of New year’s day” CHAP, Yokohama
2011 “Art Plant" Sayama hill, Tokyo
2010 “Kanagawa Art Exhibition 2010” Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery, Kanagawa
2010 “Open Studio” BankART Studio NYK, Yokohama
2009 “Art Plant" Sayama hill, Tokyo
2002 "Over the mountain, Over the ocean" former West Shiota elementary school, Nagano
Others
2013 Scenic design of “Garden” Studio Beneath the Rails site-A gallery, Yokohama
2013 Artist-in-residence, Amaxa Zaigo Museum of Art, Kumamoto
2012 Workshop "Try to leave a landscape" ASIGARA Art Festival
2011 Scenic design of "Blink / Get dizzy" YokoLab'10/Morishita Studio, Tokyo
2010 “BankART1929 Studio Program” BankART Studio NYK, Yokohama
2002 Director of the exhibition "Over the mountain, Over the ocean" former West Shiota elementary school, Nagano
Award
2010 Kanagawa Art Exhibition 2010, Kanagawa Prefectural Gallery
*Award of The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama
Public Collection
The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama
