Masami Teraoka
Born: 1936 in Onomichi in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan Residence: Waimanalo, Hawai�i Education: B.A in Aesthetics 1954-59 Kwansei Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan B.F.A. & M.F.A.,1964-68, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles Media: Watercolor
Influences: Ukiyo E prints, elements and style of which he incorporates in his watercolor paintings.
Context/Themes/Subject matter:
In Masami�s own words:
In my career I have painted about issues from gay marriage, American style confessions on TV talk shows, recent priests' confessions, politics, international affairs, censorship, invasion of privacy, gender, sexual preference, religious discrimination, the Impeachment Trial, Viagra, and AIDS to air and water pollution, toxic shock syndrome, American fast food and culture invading the world (McDonald's Hamburgers Invading Japan, 31 Flavors Invading Japan), international tourism and terrorism, and culture clash and beyond to current series on today's mass media, cloning and internet culture (often as seen through the eyes of an up-to-date Adam and Eve). Weaving
news media, reality, fantasy, visionary, imaginary and otherworldly
reality with humor, line, form and color, commentary, topicality, and a
high level of aesthetics is a challenge. I try to focus on current
issues articulated on a metaphorical level rather than recreating a mere
copy of reality. Each narrative creates a fantastical aesthetic world
where human folly and dilemma are expressed in such a way that the
beauty and ugliness of human activity and psyche thrive in a complex
pictorial recipe.
In
order to articulate these varied issues my work has evolved from
Japanese-based watercolor paintings to Western-based oil painting. What
is consistent about these two obviously different styles is the
conceptual aspect of narrative painting.
LINKS: There is a plethora of information about Masami. A very interesting man and insightful Artist.
researched by Janet Weyenberg |