Reception with the artist: Thursday, June 12, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Kazumi Yoshida’s multi dimensional paintings and sculptures weave together his mastery of textile design with elements of earthly and cosmic narratives into a fractured and elegant display. There is a maturity and boldness in his work while maintaining a sense of innocence. His split surfaces and altered spaces bring to mind cubist ideas of segmentation and shifting perspective. The freedom and strength of pattern, movement, and line can be seen also in his textiles. Yoshida is able to take 18th Century fabric and remake it from an eastern perspective, with his whimsical lines referencing Japanese ink drawing.
In his Blue Planet Series, rectangles of flat color ground the structured, slanting edges of the frame, while the tension of string held taught is planted to the sides. It is as if three worlds are coexisting, separate but harmoniously. The picture frame becomes a window, becomes a room, and becomes a portal. There is an illusion of flatness as the color seems to press forward while weighted in the back. Angles shape shift and tilt in Art Modern pushing shadows and edges into geometrical constructions, creating a puzzle-like space. Similar to Louise Nevelson’s monochromatic wood sculptures, Yoshida’s all white assemblages offer complexity with structure and bring disparate elements together into a holistic environment. The Plein Soleil pieces incorporate colorful paintings of animals in natural environments, with the sun steadily shining down (plein soleil is French for full sun). There is a mythical and playful quality to these paintings. With their separate tiered squares, each fragment is part of the whole picture. Marc Chagall’s paintings come to mind, with their happiness and complexity.
Kazumi Yoshida has been designing printed and woven fabrics for over 25 years. He is the creative force and art director at Clarence House, founded in 1961 by Robin Roberts. He controls the evolution of each design, from creation to the finished product. His paintings and sculptures have been included in numerous shows throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. His work has been featured in many publications including Vanity Fair, Interior Design, House & Garden, Traditional Home. His work sold at a special auction at Christie’s. This is his first solo exhibition with Cheryl Hazan.