Milt Kobayashi
Meyer Gallery
Milt Kobayashi
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One Man Show
July 21 - August 4, 2017
Meyer Gallery
225 Canyon Road SAnta FE, NM 87501 505.983.1434 800.779.7387 www.meyergalleries.com On the cover: Hanafuda Spring oil 18x18
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.
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Complimentary Pose oil 10x10
Girl with a Bow oil 10x10 meyergalleries.com
Separate Thoughts oil 20x16
Chelsea Lady oil 20x20 meyergalleries.com
In 1977, Milt Kobayashi encountered Diego Velazquez’ Portrait of Juan de Pareja during a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Its dramatic placement, framed by several arching doorways at the end of a long corridor, lured Kobayashi in and absorbed his attention for over half an hour. What particularly struck him about the painting was the way Velazquez broke down the barrier between painter and sitter to capture his subject’s essential being. “When I say the painting spoke to me, I mean it in a literal sense,” says Kobayashi.
right: Winter Breeze oil 10x10
Floating Clouds oil 20x16
The Shy Date oil 30x24
Tonal Spring oil 20x20 left: Quiet Space oil 12x12 meyergalleries.com
When encountering a painting in a gallery or museum, the viewer is invited to observe each brushstroke, value and color the way the artist has intentionally laid it on the canvas. These close encounters are what Kobayashi strives to create with his art. “What I want to do with my paintings is bring people in,” he says, just the way Velazquez captivated him. “I think it’s really important for people to get close to my paintings. I want you to stick your nose in and get personal with it.”
Right: A Bundle of Clothes oil 10x10 meyergalleries.com
Quiet Drama oil 24x24
Field of Pillows oil 18x18 meyergalleries.com
Flirtatious Sister oil 24x24
Long Time Patron oil 19x14 meyergalleries.com
His female figures are aloof; divorced from their social context and caught during personal moments in public settings. However the figures are also mysteriously alluring, sending us furtive glances and inviting us into their private inner dialogue. Interesting shapes from billowing dresses or polka dotted purses contribute to the enticing quality of his compositions, while contorted poses and flamboyant details turn each piece into a dream-like vision.
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right: Hanafuda Autumn oil 18x18
Empty Table oil 12x12
The Book Readers oil 24x30
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Two Women oil 14x13
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Milt Kobayashi
Gold and Blue oil 16x16
One Man Show July 21 - August 4, 2017
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Meyer Gallery
225 Canyon Road Santa Fe, NM 87501 505.983.1434 800.779.7387 www.meyergalleries.com