the way of now
Incorporating drawing and three-dimensional elements executed directly on the gallery walls and floor, the way of now builds upon Akira Yoshikawa's recent concerns with temporality, duration, and transition.
Organized for the Koffler Gallery by guest curator Georgiana Uhlyarik, the way of now comprises a series of installations conceived by Toronto artist Akira Yoshikawa during a month-long residency in the exhibition space.
For the past few years, Yoshikawa has been exploring Eastern philosophy that emphasizes the ‘present moment’, seeking perfection in the imperfect daily life. Integrating the artistic influences of North American Modernism with the spiritual depths of Japanese culture, Yoshikawa installs simple objects and materials mounted on the wall or grouped on the floor to establish formal and symbolic relationships reminiscent of ritual gestures. As part of his installations, he also produces mysterious, contemplative drawings of densely textured graphite. Deriving inspiration from the immediacy of our both simple and complicated daily surroundings, the resulting artworks may be used as “tools” to reflect about one’s life.
Akira Yoshikawa was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1949 and immigrated to Canada in 1961. He graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1974 and has since exhibited nationally and internationally. Yoshikawa’s works are in the collections of numerous art galleries in Ontario as well as in private collections. He is represented by Leo Kamen Gallery in Toronto.
Georgiana Uhlyarik curates independently and is curator at the Art Gallery of Ontario where she has been working on the installation of the Canadian collection for the reopening in November 2008. This summer Uhlyarik traveled to Japan to visit Kyoto temples as well as Hiroshima, Yoshikawa’s native city.
Tours and Workshops: Gallery talks are free with regular guided tours every Sunday at 2 PM during exhibitions. Group tours and workshops in both French and English are also available.
Location: The Koffler Gallery, part of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, is located at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre (BJCC), 4588 Bathurst Street, three stoplights (two TTC stops) north of Sheppard Avenue. The Gallery is accessible by TTC via the Bathurst 7 bus north from the Bloor/Bathurst subway station, or the 160 Bathurst north bus from Wilson subway station. Buses stop at the BJCC.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM. Additional visitor hours by appointment. Closed Jewish holidays and Saturdays. Admission is FREE.
The Koffler Gallery gratefully acknowledges the support of its patrons and members, Cultural Season Sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.
