“Jade” by Homare Ikeda
A wide range of brilliant and colorful, abstract paintings by Denver artist Homare Ikeda is on display at the Lone Tree Art Center in South Denver through November 10, 2013. “Lines in Space” is the second in a series of “Commissioners Choice” exhibits at the arts center.
Huge paintings fill the main lobby while more intimate and detailed works on paper and canvas line the administration areas of the building. Ikeda is prolific, and the 30 plus pieces provide an robust sampling of his more recent work represented by the William Havu gallery in Denver.
Broad brush strokes juxtaposed with immaculate detail, a variety of imaginative textures, repeating marks, and thoughtful color combinations provide the foundation for much of the work. He has once said much of his inspiration comes from the idea of being witness to the earliest beginnings of life. Microscopic forms such as paramecium and protozoan shaped figures are often a recurring theme in his work.
From his artist statement:
To me, painting has become a vehicle to travel in and out of the world of unknown. A blob of paints is daubed, scratched, scraped and painted one layer upon another. The thickly painted surface is the reminiscent of my journey into the heart of sea where all my reflections of life are imbued. The sea is the genesis of the original form of life. I begin my painting with a simple vision. The first stages are usually kept fluid and open. As the painting progresses, I keep adding or scraping the layers of paints. I see them as the metaphor of life. At a certain point in this process, the painting starts to take over my control.
Homare Ikeda was born on the island of Yoron, near Okinawa, Japan. He has lived, studied, and taught in the United States since 1978. He and his wife Mamiko Ikeda both currently teach at the Art Students League of Denver.
For further information on the exhibit, which runs until November 10, contact Lone Tree Arts Center at 720-509-1000 or visit www.LoneTreeArtsCenter.org
The lobby hours are 10am-4pm Monday through Friday and before and during scheduled performances. Artwork is for sale by inquiring at the box office.