User:Tangoyoko

My name is Yoko Komori Olson, Through my pre-teen and teenage years, I developed my love of art and creative desires. During this period I studied drawing, Japanese Calligraphy by Professor Kodo Akiyama, painting, and wood carving. My instructors included Professor Meiji Matsushita, and Mr. Isamu Yoshida. I decided to come to New York City to start a new life. I continued fine art and antique restoration studies at F.I.T. and received BFA degree. I have been actively involved with many artist activities and exhibits including membership in Artist Equity New York Association, 2009, National Association of Women Artists (N.A.W.A.) I dedicates for the Arts and women. My art Subject is "People and Nature" My life in Japan

I cannot talk about my life without mentioning my father and mother.

I was born after WWII in Japan. Most Japanese families hated America at that time, but my father was different. He put my sister and me into an American Catholic School named Notre Dame, which was built in 1952. My sister was the first graduated student. The teachers were American nuns, and the American flag was displayed in the principal’s room. Of course, we had English class and religion class from first grade, but my best memory of elementary school was the tea with cookies we had each afternoon. My father’s idea for future Japanese woman was that they must study hard and speak English. In Japan before W.W.II, people believed that women did not need education and should just learn to cook and sew. My father always told me “Go to see the outside of Japan. And you will realize that Japan is way behind the rest of the world.” And he continued to tell me,” Yoko, you must speak English and learn to eat Western food.” My family life style changed to Western style. We had toast and eggs, coffee or tea in the morning. My mother signed up for UNICEF and the family provided home-stay for international students, It was a very strange and interesting time, because every month students from different countries came to our house and I would have to share my room with them, but I could not speak English well at the age of twelve.

My mother decided to hire an English conversation tutor for six years while I was at Notre Dame Junior High and High School. At first, I hated my childhood situation, but slowly I changed my mind and I began to enjoy speaking English. And I really appreciate how my parents had educated me during my early life.

I married my first boy friend, which was a normal thing to do in Japan in the 1970’s, I had two children, but got divorced in 1983 due to domestic violence. You may not believe it, but divorce is still not as common in Japan as it was in the United States.26 years ago; My son KG and my daughter Mitsuko were discriminated against by old fashioned Japanese society. Mitsuko was a victim of domestic violence from her father, and it took a long time for her to come to terms with it. (Does anyone really fully recover?) I waited until Mitsuko was in college, before I made the commitment to go to America to restart my life.

My life in America It was not an easy decision for me to leave my family and come to the United States alone, but I did not want to regret my life, which was being unreasonably restrained by Japanese society. I had to rise to this challenge and overcome it to be myself, show who I am, and realize my potential. I was 45 years old when I touched down in “The Land of Opportunity.” I enrolled at FIT in New York City. and earned a BFA in fine art and antique restoration in 2001, I sent my resume to Sotheby’s restoration while I am student, I was asked to demonstrate my skills for a trial period, but I had never touched such expensive furniture before. I had to be honest and said, “I can’t do it.” They told me to go home, but I said,” No I can’t, I have to have this job, Please teach me and I will learn within a week…” The manager went to his boss, and told him,” Yoko does not want to leave.” To make a long story short, they decided to give me a chance, and I became an  employee of Sotheby’s.

I noticed that I had carried on my mother’s spirit. During WWII, she was working at a HITACHI factory. One day the factory workers were asked, “Does anybody here know how to use a typewriter? If you can type, you will work in the Secretary Department starting tomorrow!” My mother raised her hand and she went to the secretary office. And she said, “I can not use a typewriter, but nobody else raised her hand, so I took a chance.”  Like my mother I took a chance for opportunity.

In 2002, I married Jon Olson, a talented man who always encourages me to learn, and grow. In 2006, we founded YKO Studio, LLC, restoring beautiful furniture for New York dealers and private clients, I also began showing my art yearly, and arranging art exhibits for emerging international artists who want to show their works in New York City. Year 20009, I started attending United Nations events; UNIFEM meeting, the Elimination of Violence Against Women Conference, and the CEDAW =Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,

Year 2010, I will attend the NGO Global Forum for Women Beijing +15. I want to focus on this agenda for my goal to help other women locally and internationally.

My life continues to be an exciting and interesting adventure. “So far, so good! “