Paintings, etchings from Garrison Art Center printmaker
Theo Ganz Studio will present In-Between, a solo exhibition of recent paintings by Hiro Ichikawa, on view from Dec. 13 through Jan. 18, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. In-Between will include up to 15 abstract paintings as well as several etchings.
The artist grew up in a small city in the mountains, recognized for its silk weaving and kimono industry. His father was a designer of wedding kimonos. Growing up in this environment, Ichikawa was greatly influenced by not only the natural world around him but also the rich colors, patterns and textures of the silk textiles. In the 1980s he came to the U.S. to study art at Pratt Institute, and after graduating he remained in Brooklyn until he moved to Beacon several years ago.
Patiently working with delicate brushwork, his paintings are imaginary, abstract landscapes with dreamlike qualities. A recent commission in Japan for a Buddhist temple’s fusuma paintings (Japanese-style sliding doors) helped him explore the “creation of an imaginary or idealized landscape that doesn’t exist in the physical realm.”
The artist also oversees the printmaking club at Garrison Art Center, and on Sunday afternoons in January he will be giving a class in nontoxic spit bite etching.
Ichikawa maintains a blog on his studio practice at his website, users.rcn.com/yukey. For further information, visit theoganzstudio.com or contact [email protected]. The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday and by appointment via 917-318-2239.
