Artwork Spotlight | KAMI
Periodically highlighting artwork from our gallery exhibits.
Artwork Spotlights showcase some of the pieces featured in our rotating exhibits. Giving you a glimpse into the beautiful work we have in our gallery, in hopes that you’ll be inspired to come see the exhibit.
The exhibit on display for July and August is titled Kami: Interpreting the Beauty of Nature Through 3 Generations. This show includes the work of three amazing artists—Kiya Nicole, Miho Kahn, and Eiko Taniguchi Kahn—working across various mediums.
Encapsulating over one hundred cumulative years of work, this is the first time their work has been shown together.
As you can imagine, there is much to spotlight.
“[This show] reflects countless hours spent bent in concentration, pursuing a mastery of craft and developing an almost mystical dedication to expressing ourselves through art.”
1. Installation | Kiya Nicole
Medium: Steel wire and hand-crafted ceramic sculptures
Kiya Nicole built this installation in the space, for the space. That is one of the many reasons why this work—and exhibit—is special. It took her about four days to get it to a place she was happy with.
It is the “centerpiece” of the exhibit, catching your eye immediately when you walk into the gallery. And when the evening light dances on the installation, it is a magical experience.
The steel wire came first, then the hand-crafted sculptures were added, snaking its way along and up the steel. There are about seventy sculptures—their forms include swirls, snakes, Uzumaki, roots, driftwood, etc.
Pieces of the installation can be purchased upon request.
2. Miho & Eiko Collaboration
Title: Meadow at Dusk
Medium: Mixed media on Illustration Board
Dimensions: 16” x 40”
Title: Harvest
Medium: Mixed media, framed
Dimensions: 17.5” x 37”
These paintings are a combination of Miho and Eiko Kahn’s hands. Miho used scrap cast-off pieces from the floor of Eiko’s studio and painted into them. Eiko had already done some colors and texture, which provided a base layer, and Miho expanded on that.
Regarding this collaboration with her mother, Miho said to me, “As far as I’m concerned, if she’s had her hand on it, it’s good.”
I personally am a big fan of these works. The color palette, especially those reds in “Meadow at Dusk,” are just stunning. There is something very appealing about a thin, long painting.
3. Matryoshka Dolls | Miho Kahn
Medium: Hand-painted Russian matryoshka dolls
NFS
In the short time that I’ve known Miho Kahn, I am confident that she is precisely the type of person who would find a bin of old dolls at a yard sale and create something magical. Some of the dolls were blank while others were chipped, so she cleaned them up and started painting.
They portray various kinds of bodies, and Miho calls them her girls. She pointed out the one with a mastectomy to me—it might be her favorite.
Don’t Forget!
These works—with the exception of the dolls—are available for purchase in person or at our Online Gallery Shop.
“Kami” is on display until Saturday, August 30th. Visit the gallery during the month of August!
Midshow Reception ft. Live Music | August 2nd from 5 - 8PM
Gallery Open House (every Sunday) | August 3rd from 12 - 3PM