User:Oscaroiwa

Oscar Oiwa

Born in 1965 in São Paulo, is a contemporary artist whose works focus on the impact of globalization. Oiwa’s work combines his perspective as an urban dweller along with his own imaginative visions of a fantastical world. While some of his exquisite paintings depict the harsher realities of our current society others represent the dream of a Utopia. Either way Oiwa’s works succeed in creating a palpable wonderland. He currently lives and works in New York, though his artwork has been exhibited worldwide. Oiwa received his B.F.A. (1989) from the School of Architecture and Urbanism, São Paulo University. He has had nearly 40 solo exhibitions since 1990. He is represented in New York by P.P.O.W., in São Paulo by Thomas Cohn Gallery, in Tokyo by Artfront Gallery, in Beijing by BTAP+Tokyo Gallery, and in Hong Kong by Connoisseur Contemporary Gallery, among others.

Life and Work

Born as son of Japanese immigrants who settled in Brazil after World War II, Oiwa absorbed influences from comic books, art, and magazines throughout his youth, as well as the urban environment of his birthplace. He experienced contemporary art during this time in nearby galleries and as an assistant at the São Paulo Art Biennial. Soon after he decided on a career as an artist. He held his first solo exhibition while he was still in college and thereafter participated in the 21st São Paulo Art Biennial (1991). Two years after graduation Oiwa decided to move his base to Tokyo(1991-2001), and then later to New York (2002-). All the cities that he resided in are the subjects of many of his paintings. He drew on his experiences while residing in these urban environments; his understanding of their history and how they function is represented in his works. Oiwa questions the relationship between nature and society, he paints with ease the tension of the city as well as it’s most quiet serenity. The fantastical elements conceived by Oiwa’s limitless imagination bring a touching believability to the mirage that is the dream world. Oiwa uses humor, reality, illusion, and truth to create his images that depict our world like no other.

Books

Art At First Time, Tokyo: Skydoor Inc (1995); ISBN4-915879-22-4

ART&ist, Tokyo: Gendaikikakushitsu Publishers (2000); ISBN4-7738-0014-3

Gardening with Oscar Oiwa: New Paintings, Arizona State University Art Museum, text by Marylin A. Zeitlin (2006); ISBN 0-9777624-2-4

Oscar Oiwa: Painting in the Age of Globalization, Tokyo: Gendaikikakushitsu Publishers, text by Yoshimi Chinzei and Yuji Yamashita, (2008); ISBN978-4-7738-0801-8

Asian Kitchen, Beijing: Tokyo Gallery + BTAP, Tokyo/Beijing, text by Yoshimi Chinzei, Angelo Bucci and Toshiaki Minemura (2009); ISBN978-4-904149-00-3

External links

-Studio Official Site 

-Building an Island (YouTube video) 

Bibliograph

ARATA,Tani. Virtual Art or from indian to beyond post modernism, "Oscar Satio Oiwa" catalogue ,Tokyo, June1992

FRISS-HANSEN, Dana. Review Tokyo - OSCAR SATIO OIWA, Flash Art International, Milan, October 1993

KIELSTRA, Martjin. Plataform 99, Canvas Foundation p.132-133, Amsterdan, 1998

SPIJKERMAN, Sandra. Japanse Kunstenaars zijn niet typisch Japans, Kunstbeeld, Rotterdan, June 2000

ITO, Junji. Art in Front From Tokyo, Bijutsu no Mado p.85-88, Tokyo, October 2000

NANJO, Fumio. Foreign Artists in Japan, Bien ,Tokyo, December 2001

ITOI,Kai. Figures in Landscape, ART News, New York, March 2001

LIM CJ. Fragile Earth book, London, 2001

REED, Robert. Embark on a journey of a different kind, The Daily Yomiuri, December 11th 2003

KURAYA,Mika.Traveling: Towards the Border exhibition catalogue, The National Museum of Modern Art,Tokyo, October 2003

FARIAS, Agnaldo.Toppling Futures ,Thomas Cohn Galeria exhibition cataloge, March 2005

ZEITLIN, Marilyn. Gardening With Oscar Oiwa, Arte Al Dia International, Edition 108, Miami, March 2005

DAGGEN, Philippe. Satio Oiwa ou la revanche d une nature merise, Le Monde, Paris, January 7th ,2006

TAKAHASHI, Shuji. HON, Oscar Oiwa Kodanshiya, Tokyo, January 2007

LAUDANNO, Claudia. Oscar Oiwa, Art Nexus,No.73, vol.6, Buenos Aires, January 2007

NILSEN, Richard.The Tempe Republic, Oiwa's Ambitious Works Offer Stark Vision of Life Tempe, Arizona, January 17th, 2007

KOPLOS, Janet. Review, Art in America, New York, December, 2007

KAMIYA, Yukie Oscar Oiwa :The Dreams of a Sleeping World, ART it, Tokyo, April 17, 2008

YAMASHITA, Yuji.Oscar Oiwa :The Dreams of a Sleeping World, Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo, April 24, 2008

MARK, Cristoph, Oiwa's dreams blend nightmares with hope, The Daily Yomiuri,Tokyo, May 30, 2008