Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your support for this past year

and best whishes for 2013

Happy Holidays!

and

A Happy New Year!

Image: "DICOT II" detail, 2012 Powdered golden pigments,
natural liquid adhesive on handmade paper.
Courtesy of Katsura Okada

 

 

 

"APETALOUS" closing this Sunday, December 2, 2012

Please come to see Okada's show at Artifact gallery in lower east side. The show closing this Sunday, December 2nd. Gallery hours: Wed. - Sun. 12-6pm.

"APETALOUS" New Paintings of Flowers having No Petals
Katsura Okada
November 14 - December 2, 2012

 @ARTIFACT
84 ORCHARD STREET
between Broom & Grand
New York, NY 10002
http://artifactnyc.net/

Please find below an essay from the catalogue of the exhibition:

"Convincing Imaginative Forms of Katsura Okada

By John Austin

The state of contemporary art is such that the audience has been primed to crave for an integral and dynamic art that seemingly challenges all assumptions, an art that keeps the romantic tradition of the avant garde alive, where the altogether “new” must be kept in the foreground. An art in which the “breakthrough tradition”, the great oxymoron of late modernist art, must, at all costs, be upheld.

It is the freshness and the immediacy of her hand that draws the eye of the beholder Katsura Okada’s delicate paintings of flowers. Her image-making involves a fragile synthesis: It draws together her powers of observation as well as those of her singular intelligence. Together they re-construct the world for us through the creative action of her imagination. This imaging process re-creating, inimitably, the world, in compelling works involves a dual process on the part of the artist and it implicates the mind as well as the sensations.

August Macke wrote: “Incomprehensible ideas express themselves in comprehensible forms… To create forms means: to live. Each form of art is an expression of his inner life”. Macke’s friend Vassilly Kandinsky later expanded on this statement and in Concerning the Spiritual in Art wrote passionately about the need for a state of “inner necessity” to be present in the psyche of every truly authentic artist. The mind of the adult rationally uses the impulse of “inner necessity”, that drive, to propel the sensations of the world and give them life forms using color, shape, density, and elements of composition. In other words creating a forceful image of the world is virtually impossible: it involves being submerged within one’s sensibility without self-reflection. Simultaneously it requires being conscious one’s perceptions, one’s visual responses to the world and their translation through material means, such as paint and canvas.

Katsura Okada has the great gift of making her works on paper look effortless and uncontrived. This is a very difficult thing to do, as I hope I’ve made clear, and it is the first mark of a first-rate artist. Okada’s vision has a “springclasp” aspect, a word that connotes oppositional qualities. Firstly, her painting has a blooming and lively quality that I associate with the season of spring as it has a spontaneity that “springs” to life because it “clasps” together antithetical aspects.

Her artwork contains formal oppositions which enlivens all of her efforts. What captivates the eye is delicate power which mutes the natural patterning create by the forms and shapes referring to flowers. Okada has been remarkably sensitive to keep within certain visual mimetic parameters (the carefully delineated shadows of the tree branches, for example) in order to convey naturalistic impressions without eschewing completely her inclination to abstract her image near-totally. She builds up visual information that flows in opposite directions ether as mimetic representation of natural objects of delight and exemplifying the veneration of nature, or complete non-objectivity and gestural abstraction, that is a shift to iconic symbol.

This tension of opposites which leads to the excellence of form-making in the artist’s painterly works is the result of a harmonious fusion of object (that is of nature) presented, the object suggested, and through image evoked, the “thing” expressed. That “thing” the life force of the world brought to consciousness through inner necessity is the great gift that Katsura Okada offers to us in her resplendent springclasp paintings. What is in plain sight in mid-flight pattern is suspended Okada’s flourishing vision of significant forms.

John Austin is an art writer working in Manhattan."

Published by ARTIFACT gallery, NYC 2012

An essay for "Apetalous" Okada's exhibition

Convincing Imaginative Forms of Katsura Okada

By John Austin

The state of contemporary art is such that the audience has been primed to crave for an integral and dynamic art that seemingly challenges all assumptions, an art that keeps the romantic tradition of the avant garde alive, where the altogether “new” must be kept in the foreground. An art in which the “breakthrough tradition”, the great oxymoron of late modernist art, must, at all costs, be upheld.

It is the freshness and the immediacy of her hand that draws the eye of the beholder Katsura Okada’s delicate paintings of flowers. Her image-making involves a fragile synthesis: It draws together her powers of observation as well as those of her singular intelligence. Together they re-construct the world for us through the creative action of her imagination. This imaging process re-creating, inimitably, the world, in compelling works involves a dual process on the part of the artist and it implicates the mind as well as the sensations.

August Macke wrote: “Incomprehensible ideas express themselves in comprehensible forms… To create forms means: to live. Each form of art is an expression of his inner life”. Macke’s friend Vassilly Kandinsky later expanded on this statement and in Concerning the Spiritual in Art wrote passionately about the need for a state of “inner necessity” to be present in the psyche of every truly authentic artist. The mind of the adult rationally uses the impulse of “inner necessity”, that drive, to propel the sensations of the world and give them life forms using color, shape, density, and elements of composition. In other words creating a forceful image of the world is virtually impossible: it involves being submerged within one’s sensibility without self-reflection. Simultaneously it requires being conscious one’s perceptions, one’s visual responses to the world and their translation through material means, such as paint and canvas.

Katsura Okada has the great gift of making her works on paper look effortless and uncontrived. This is a very difficult thing to do, as I hope I’ve made clear, and it is the first mark of a first-rate artist. Okada’s vision has a “springclasp” aspect, a word that connotes oppositional qualities. Firstly, her painting has a blooming and lively quality that I associate with the season of spring as it has a spontaneity that “springs” to life because it “clasps” together antithetical aspects.

Her artwork contains formal oppositions which enlivens all of her efforts. What captivates the eye is delicate power which mutes the natural patterning create by the forms and shapes referring to flowers. Okada has been remarkably sensitive to keep within certain visual mimetic parameters (the carefully delineated shadows of the tree branches, for example) in order to convey naturalistic impressions without eschewing completely her inclination to abstract her image near-totally. She builds up visual information that flows in opposite directions ether as mimetic representation of natural objects of delight and exemplifying the veneration of nature, or complete non-objectivity and gestural abstraction, that is a shift to iconic symbol.

This tension of opposites which leads to the excellence of form-making in the artist’s painterly works is the result of a harmonious fusion of object (that is of nature) presented, the object suggested, and through image evoked, the “thing” expressed. That “thing” the life force of the world brought to consciousness through inner necessity is the great gift that Katsura Okada offers to us in her resplendent springclasp paintings. What is in plain sight in mid-flight pattern is suspended Okada’s flourishing vision of significant forms.

John Austin is an art writer working in Manhattan.

ARTCARDS.CC - New York Art Openings, Events, & Shows

Dear All, hope you all are safe and well.
You can find a couple of opening receptions on Friday, November 16 in Lower East Side area (LES) including Okada's one on the below link ARTCARDS New York Art Events & Openings!
Please check it out and come to see the receptions. Enjoy!!!

ARTCARDS.CC - New York Art Openings, Events, & Shows

Related links of Okada's Exhibition

"APETALOUS" New Paintings of Flowers having No Petals
Katsura Okada
November 14 - December 2, 2012
Opening reception: Friday, November 16, 19:00 - 21:00

Links:

*ARTslanT New York:
http://www.artslant.com/ny/events/show/243607-apetalous-new-paintings-of-flowers-having-no-petals?tab=EVENT

*ARTCAT:
http://www.artcat.com/exhibits/18600

*UnDo.Net Italy:
http://undo.net/it/mostra/148722



@ARTIFACT
84 ORCHARD STREET
between Broom & Grand
New York, NY 10002
http://artifactnyc.net

Katsura Okada Artifact New York

Please find below links. New exhibition dates:

New exhibition dates: November 14 – December 2, 2012

Opening reception: Friday, November 16, 7-9pm

Here are the links from Undo.net in Italy:

http://undo.net/it/mostra/148722
 

Katsura Okada Artifact New York

Update New Exhibition Dates

Here is New exhibition dates. Please come to the reception and to see Okada's new paintings!

"APETALOUS"
New Paintings of Flowers having No Petals

Katsura Okada

November 14 - December 2, 2012

Opening reception: Friday, November 16, 19:00 - 21:00

@ARTIFACT
84 ORCHARD STREET
between Broom & Grand
New York, NY 10002
http://artifactnyc.net

Image: "DICOT I" detail, 2012 Powdered golden pigments,
natural liquid adhesive on handmade paper.
Courtesy of Katsura Okada

Update info Okada's exhibition

We hope you all are safe and ok. Due to residual effects of Hurricane Sandy, there are power outages in down town area of New York City.

Okada's show will open shortly when the power is recovery. We will updates information about her new exhibiton dates as soon as possible. Thank you !

Warm wishes


"APETALOUS"
New Paintings of Flowers having No Petals

Katsura Okada

November 2012

@ARTIFACT
84 Orchard Street
between Broome & Grand
New York, NY 10002
info@artifactnyc.net
212.475.0448
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 to 6 PM

Upcoming Okada's exhibition

You All are cordially invited to Okada's exhibition

at ARTIFACT in New York City.

"APETALOUS"
New Paintings of Flowers having No Petals

Katsura Okada

November 7 - November 25, 2012

Opening reception: Friday, November 9th, 19:00 - 21:00

 

 

 

 

@ARTIFACT
84 ORCHARD STREET
Grand Floor
New York, NY 10002
http://artifactnyc.net
 

Image: "DICOT II" detail, 2012 Powdered golden pigments,
natural liquid adhesive on handmade paper.
Courtesy of Katsura Okada 

New Paintings coming soon !

Upcoming Okada's Exhibition in New York City, in November 2012

Please check this blog for some exciting her solo exhibition and events coming soon!

Have a great summer time! : A.I.R. Gallery Postcard Show

We would like to thank you for your support in Wish You Were Here 11!

My work was sold and displayed among the works of hundreds of national and international artists whose cards ranged widely in style, media, and themes. The sale of our work benefits the A.I.R. Fellowship Program for Emerging and Underrepresented Artists and other programs that serve our mission to advance the status of women in the arts.

Thank you again for your support and

Have a great summer 2012!!

Above: Katsura Okada, "Happy Birthday #08"(detail), Powdered pigments & natural liquid adhesive, 4" x 6", 2012

A.I.R. Gallery is located at 111 Front Street #228, Brooklyn, NY
www.airgallery.org

Wish You Were Here 11

Please come to see and support

A.I.R.'s annual benefit postcard show!

Wish You Were Here 11  June 21 - July 15, 2012 Opening Reception: Thursday, June 21, 6-8pm Dumbo 1st Thursday Reception: July 5, 6-9pm A.I.R.'s annual benefit postcard show includes original works by more than 300 artists.  The proceeds from this exhibition of postcard sized works benefit the A.I.R. Fellowship Program for Emerging and Underrepresented Artists and other programs that serve our mission to advance the status of women in the arts. The 4” x 6” artworks, as well as diptychs and triptychs based on this size, are created and donated by hundreds of national and international artists including A.I.R. Gallery artists. These cards range widely in style and media and encompass a broad spectrum of themes. Each card is signed and dated, often with a message from the artist to the collector. All 4” x 6” art works are priced at $45 per art work, with diptychs priced at $80 and triptychs at $120. For a full press release, please click HERE. Above: Katsura Okada, "Happy Birthday #08"(detail), Powdered pigments & natural liquid adhesive, 4" x 6", 2012

A.I.R. Gallery is located at 111 Front Street #228, Brooklyn, NY. GALLERY HOURS: Wed-Sun, 11AM - 6PM www.airgallery.org Wheelchair access to the building is through the 55 Washington Street entrance. Take the elevator to the 2nd Floor. Directions: F train to York St. (first stop in Brooklyn) Turn right as you exit the station, walk 1 block down hill to Front St. Turn left on Front St. and walk 2 1/2 blocks. A/C train to High St. (first stop in Brooklyn) and walk through Cadman Plaza Park and down Washington St. toward the water until you reach Front St, then turn right.

A.I.R. Gallery June/July Exhibitions

A.I.R. Gallery June/July Exhibitions

June 21 - July 15, 2012

Opening Reception:

Thursday, June 21, 6-8pm

Artist Talk with Bang-Geul Han begins at 6pm.

Dumbo 1st Thursday Reception:

July 5, 6-9pm

Gallery I: Anomalistic Revolution Curated by Julie Lohnes An Exhibition of 18 A.I.R. Gallery Artists Susan Bee, Liz Surbeck Biddle, Daria Dorosh, Regina Granne, Maxine Henryson, Nancy Lasar, Jisoo Lee, Louise McCagg, Catherine Mosley, Sylvia Netzer, Ann Pachner, Sheila Ross, Francie Shaw, Barbara Siegel, Elisabeth Munro Smith, Joan Snitzer, Nancy Storrow, and Jane Swavely. For a full press release, please click HERE. Fellowship Gallery: Bang-Geul Han Baguette Hell Playing on the word "bagatelle" (meaning a trifling or inconsequential thing), Baguette Hell features a series of interactive iPad and iPhone apps toying with images of its namesake French bread. Reminiscent of Dadaist exercises, the apps are seemingly impractical or pointless, but are also playful and delightfully strange. For a full press release, please click HERE. Gallery III: Wish You Were Here 11 A.I.R.'s annual benefit postcard show includes original works by more than 300 artists. The 4" x 6" artworks, as well as diptychs and triptychs based on this size, are created and donated by hundreds of national and international artists including A.I.R. Gallery artists. All 4" x 6" art works are priced at $45 per art work, with diptychs priced at $80 and triptychs at $120. For a full press release, please click HERE.

A.I.R. Gallery is located at 111 Front Street #228, Brooklyn, NY. GALLERY HOURS: Wed-Sun, 11AM - 6PM www.airgallery.org Wheelchair access to the building is through the 55 Washington Street entrance. Take the elevator to the 2nd Floor. Directions: F train to York St. (first stop in Brooklyn) Turn right as you exit the station, walk 1 block down hill to Front St. Turn left on Front St. and walk 2 1/2 blocks. A/C train to High St. (first stop in Brooklyn) and walk through Cadman Plaza Park and down Washington St. toward the water until you reach Front St, then turn right.

Collezioni Sport & Street No. 64 - April 2012

Check this out! An article of Okada's solo exhibition at A.I.R.gallery in January 2012 is just out now as paper and digital magazine in Italy and worldwide!!
For larger image click on below the article and you can open the Summary page, and then click "EXTRA-ORDINARY 10 Katsura Okada, artist".

Images courtesy by the artist

Installation View of MEBUKU Art Exhibitions in NY and Japan

"Mebuku Art Exhibition New York"

March 1st - the middle of April 2012

@Janet Hall Art Space, 2 West 47th St. 7th Floor

(Bet. 5th & 6th Avenue), New York NY 10036

 

 

"The eternity of the end and the begin" by Katsura Okada

 

***

 

"Mebuku Art Project Exhibition"

which supports the disaster in Tohoku, Japan

 March 17 - March 31, 2012

@Kesennuma Plaza Hotel in Miyagi-ken, Japan

"Bouquet of Hope for Kesennuma" by Katsura Okada

 

Click here the information (in Japanese)

MEBUKU ART PROJECT

 

Please come to see our exhibitions and supports Japan!

 

Images courtesy by the artists

 

 

Opening today March 17, 2012

"Mebuku Art Project Exhibition" which supports the disaster in Tohoku, Japan

Date: March 17 - March 31, 2012

 

@Fukkou Yatai Mura Kesen-numa Yokochou and

Kesen-numa Plaza Hotel in Miyagi-ken, Japan

 

Click here the information (in Japanese)

MEBUKU ART PROJECT

 

Please come to see our exhibition and supports Japan!

 

"Bouquet of Hope for Kesennuma" by Katsura Okada

Image Copyright © Katsura Okada

 

 

 

"Mebuku Art Exhibition" in Miyagi, Japan

We always pray for Japan

 "Mebuku Art Project Exhibition" which supports the disaster in Tohoku, Japan

Date: March 17 - March 31, 2012

@Fukkou Yatai Mura Kesen-numa Yokochou and

Kesen-numa Plaza Hotel in Miyagi-ken, Japan

Click here the information (in Japanese)

MEBUKU ART PROJECT

Please come to see our exhibition and supports Japan!

"Bouquet of Hope for Kesennuma" by Katsura Okada

Image Copyright © Katsura Okada

Opening Reception - Mebuku Art Exhibition in NY

Please come to see our *Art*, enjoy *Music Live*

and drink some wine!

"Mebuku Art Exhibition New York"

Date: March 1st - the middle of April 2012

Opening reception: March 5, Monday, 6PM-8:30PM

@Janet Hall Art Space, 2 West 47th St. 7th Floor

(Bet. 5th & 6th Avenue), New York NY 10036

MEBUKU Art Exhibitions in NY and Japan 2012

Hope All are well. In March 2012, Okada's works were invited to exhibits in two group exhibitions in two locations that "Mebuku (means "The sprouting") Art Project Exhibition of support for disaster Tohoku area in Japan"
If you in the New York and Miyagi-ken in Japan, please come to our opening reception and to see our exhibitions! :

"Mebuku Art Exhibition New York"

Date: March 1st - the middle of April 2012

 - Opening reception: March 5, Monday, 6PM-8:30PM -

@Janet Hall Art Space, 2 West 47th St. 7th Floor

(Bet. 5th & 6th Avenue), New York NY 10036

For more info visit: NPO JaNet http://japanesenetwork.org/

Gallery hours: Monday - Friday from 11am to 6pm

*****

"Mebuku Art Project Exhibition"

@Fukkou Yatai Mura Kesen-numa Yokochou and

Kesen-numa Plaza Hotel in Miyagi-ken, Japan

Date: March 17 - March 31, 2012

*****

Click here the information (in Japanese)

MEBUKU ART PROJECT

Closing Reception: Saturday, January 28, 4-6 pm

If you in NY please come to our closing reception!

Katsura Okada “The Re-Origin: After the Last First”

Closing Reception: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 4-6 pm

A.I.R. Gallery is located at 111 Front Street, #228, in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, N.Y.

GALLERY HOURS: Wed-Sun, 11AM - 6PM

DIRECTIONS: The F train to York St. (first stop in Brooklyn).Turn right as you exit the station walk 1 block down hill to Front St. Turn left on Front St. and walk 2 1/2 blocks. Or take the A/C train to High St. (first stop in Brooklyn) and walk through Cadman Plaza Park and down Washington St. toward the water until you reach Front St, then turn right.

Please see www.airgallery.org. For additional information call Julie Lohnes (212)-255-6651, jlohnes@airgallery.org.