Artist Biography
Kenichi Yokono uses traditional woodblock methodologies to address the comic book horrors of contemporary Japanese culture. Manga, anime, horror movies, and other stereotypical aspects of Japanese pop culture merge to present iconic images of buoyant menace and cruelty, which serve to contrast startlingly with the sugary cartoon characters that are also common. Although functioning woodblocks, the works are only ever exhibited directly and prints are never produced. Such a method maintains the primacy of the hand made object and the artist retains a tangible presence. These multiple oppositions in Yokono's work results in pieces that are highly relevant critiques that retain a pleasing irony.
Born in 1972 (Kanazawa, Japan), Yokono was trained at the Kanazawa College of Art (Japan). He has had solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Vienna and Amsterdam, among numerous international group shows, and has been offered residencies at the McColl Center for Visual Art (NC) and the International Studio and Curatorial Program (NY). He was the recipient of the 2005 Asian Cultural Council Fellowship award, and the Tom Eccles Prize (NY). The artist lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.
For a full biography and curriculum vitae, please click the PDF download link below.
Selected Press
Arrested Motion - Openings: Jeremy Fish - "Rise of the Underground" @ Mark Moore
Cool Hunting - Kenichi Yokono: Rise of the Underground
Hi-Fructose Magazine - Serena Makofsky
Harper's Magazine -
Los Angeles Times - Around the Galleries: Her Altered State of Being
ARTINFO - Armory Week: A Year Later, A Fair Better
HORROR - Kenichi Yokono Artist Interview
Los Angeles Times - Around the Galleries: International Art With Youthful Edge
Cool Hunting - Josh Ruben
ARTINFO - Armory Show Report: Ancillary Fairs
PULSE Preview - PULSE Miami 2006 Preview