Milt Kobayashi Introspection
Milt Kobayashi Introspection
July 20-27, 2018 Meyer Gallery
225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico www.meyergalleries.com
There is a quiet sophistication in Milt Kobayashi’s oil painted canvases, summoning a pensive, ethereal feeling in the viewer. Kobayashi’s subjects are people from another time and place and, yet, they are strangely familiar. They are urban dwellers lost in thought as they take a momentary respite from their routine. Kobayashi’s people are absorbed in the world of contemplation and meditation - making the attractively aloof. A third generation Japanese-American, Kobayashi was born in New York City, soon after that his family moved to Oahu, Hawaii, and then ventured to Los Angeles when he was eight. After receiving his B.A. in 1970 from the University of California - Los Angeles, Kobayashi began working as an illustrator. However he found his work, which was quite editorial in its nature, did not fit the Los Angeles commercial art market. In 1977, Kobayashi returned to New York City. After returning to New York, a casual visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art permanently altered Kobayashi’s artistic direction and prompted a career change. There he saw Velazquez’s portrait Juan de Paraja. He began studying the works of Whistler, Chase and Sargent, who were also influenced by Velazquez. Strangely enough, it was through his study of Western masters, especially Whistler, that Kobayashi became aware of Japanese art and “the Japanese floating world of Edo”. He began studying the 16th and 17th century Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock print masters Hokasai, Sharaku and Utamaro. Ukiyo-e is defined as “pictures of the floating world,” depicting characters in the constantly changing motions of life. The whole perspective of Japanese art allures him - the patterns, color harmonies, use of negative space, and primarily, composition and design. Kobayashi has received two major awards: the National Academy of Design’s Ranger Purchased Award and the Allied Arts Silver Medal. His work has appeared in Forbes, Fortune, and Reader’s Digest magazines. In September of 1997, Kobayashi was a featured guest artist at the Artist of America show in Denver, CO.
Friendship oil 14x14
“I call myself a romantic realist,� says New York painter Milt Kobayashi, whose impressionistic figurative portraits draw influence from Japanese print artists as well as Western master painters like Sargent and Whistler. Kobayashi works in a two dimensional picture plane with a monolithic feel, emphasizing dominant figures while juxtaposing bold patterns against loose color fields. Japanese print masters Sharaku and Utamaro influence these traits in Kobayashi’s work, connecting the Japanese-American artist with his cultural heritage.
Angie at Her Best oil 10x10
“Whistler was extremely influenced by Japanese art,” says Kobayashi of one of his earliest artistic inspirations. “That was how I was introduced to it, and I was emboldened by it as a Japanese American. I was excited by my roots, so to speak.”
Bistro Around the Corner oil 20x16
Colorful Headdress oil 10x10
Pastels and Greys oil 22x30
Kobayashi’s compositions may have a flattened feel, but his subject matter brings alluring depth to his work. For his solo show, “Introspection” Kobayashi paints female figures that intrigue the viewer as we imagine their private inner dialogues. Distracted, pensive or moody, Kobayashi’s figures are composed as disengaged groups or solitary subjects who seem to catch our eye with passing glances. There is an eerie romance to Kobayashi’s compositions, which are painted with broken brushwork and abstracted edges. Vivid pink skirts, bright orange hair and bold polka dot patterns also contribute to the enchantment of each piece, while skewed perspectives transport us into dream-like realms. Kobayashi refers to his paintings as “private portraits” as his figures are typically absorbed by their own introspection, even though they often exist in busy cafes or restaurants.
Something of a Surprise oil 20x20
Setting oil 14x12
Mermaid oil 10x10
“People often ask, “What restaurant did you get these scenes from?” But I don’t take pictures of restaurants,” he says. “All the settings are made up and they’re unimportant. What’s important are the people. They are private portraits that just happen to be in a public setting.”
The Room of Flowers oil 14x12
The Japanese Tea Pot oil 14x12
Kobayashi worked as a successful illustrator in Los Angeles before he began painting professionally. Inspirational visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art upon his return to New York in 1977 directed the artist to his current style. Kobayashi’s current process relates the artist to his painted figures. “As an illustrator, you’re executing an idea by an art director,” he explains.
Whispering Wind oil 10x10
“Fine art is a whole different thing – you have to draw from within yourself.”
Milt Kobayashi
Casual Style oil 14x12
Two Very Close Friends oil 20x24
Casual Seating oil 10x10
Two Women oil 20x16
Girl Flower oil 10x10
The Vase and a Wish oil 14x14
White Flowers oil 14x12
Yellow and Mellow oil 10x10
Solitude oil 10x10
The Wait oil 14x12
Purple Sash oil 10x10
Windstruck oil 10x10
Sirens oil 22x30
Milt Kobayashi
Introspection
Angie at Her Best Bistro Around the Corner Casual Seating Casual Style Colorful Headdress Friendship Girl Flower Mermaid Pastels and Greys Purple Sash Setting Sirens Solitude Something of a Surprise The Grey Head Band The Japanese Tea Pot The Room of Flowers The Vase and a Wish The Wait Two Very Close Friends Two Women Whispering Wind White Flowers Windstruck Yellow and Mellow
10x10 20x16 10x10 14x12 10x10 14x14 10x10 10x10 22x30 10x10 14x12 22x30 10x10 20x20 10x10 14x12 14x12 14x14 14x12 20x24 20x16 10x10 14x12 10x10 10x10
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MILT KOBAYASHI
The Grey Head Band oil 10x10
Introspection
July 20-27, 2018 | Solo Exhibition Artist Reception Friday, July 20, 5-7 PM 225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 505.983.1434 www.meyergalleries.com