Koko Shimizu: Future of Life

04 Jun Koko Shimizu: Future of Life

Abstract, emotional paintings by
a Cybernetic Japanese Girl
July 4th through July 28th
Reception: Sunday, July 14th

Ryuhow is a celebrated, museum-exhibited artist in her native Japan. A prodigy, she has been painting since she was ten years old. In 2008 her career and practice changed with the birth of her third daughter, Koko, who was born with severe congenital disease of the spine. Koko struggled just to remain alive until an experimental procedure was performed that implanted a micro-sized regulatory computer in her brain. The first few years of Koko’s life were a series of operations, technological upgrades and medical treatments that helped greatly reduced the inherent risks of her diagnosis. Ryuhow‘s entire body of work now revolves around her daughter who has been equal parts miracle and muse, and both student and collaborator.

Koko Shimizu was born in 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. She was born with severe congenital disease of the spine and underwent many operations as an infant and well into her adolescence. She has a tiny device attached to her brain that helps monitor her brain function and return voluntary control of her circulatory system. Since the age of three, she has trained as an artist and painter with her mother, Ryuhow.

Both artists will be present at the Opening Reception on Sunday, July 14th, from 3-6PM.
Both will be signing their double-sided posters and exhibition pamphlets.
Contact director Matt Kennedy for purchase info and availability.
(323)547-3227 or info@gallery30south.com

 

Koko’s statement:
“The theme for my creative work is the preciousness of life and nature on Earth. I am a young Japanese girl fighting an intractable disease. There is a machine buried in my head. I am alive in this moment thanks to the love and goodwill of the medical doctors who offer cutting-edge treatment. I have gone under a series of operations, and I need the support of others to function from day to day. My works are born from my struggle with the disease. The rough experience makes the pieces uniquely my own. My paintings and the mentality they express originate in the circumstances where life and death exist side by side.

“The motifs in my paintings are life, the earth, the heart, love, people, and the cells. I use them to depict the mystery of life. When I work, I weigh in on two angles on how to view the acrylics: as individual entities and as a fluid. Paints as individual entities add depths to the motif subjects as you layer them upon one another, while the way the paints yield to gravity as a fluid reminds me of the water planet Earth and the mysterious construct of life.

“I have lived in an art studio since the day I was born. For me, painting is like eating or sleeping. The act of painting gives me the strength to face situations and rise above them, which I need in battling my disease. My works are my life itself.

“I have learned so much from my disease: that the ordinary things

are what matters the most and true happiness is right next to you; that I must appreciate and live each day well; that we are animals and need nature and its bounty.

“Floating in cold space, the water planet Earth must be filled with humanity’s love and keep shining brightly for eternity. As an artist battling a disease, I will continue to devote my life to a pursuit of the theme of the precious life and nature on earth.” – Koko Shimizu 2018

 

A Note about KOKO’s Show:

Koko Shimizu may look perfectly healthy, but she has struggled just to remain alive since birth. An experimental procedure that implanted a micro-sized regulatory computer in her brain has helped to reduce the inherent risk of her diagnosis, but Koko’s life continues to be a series of operations, technological upgrades and medical treatments that risk debilitation in the pursuit of well-being. Art has been an important part of her recovery, so Koko purchases art supplies for other children in hospice care with proceeds from the sale of her work–including those sold in this, her first solo exhibition. Shortly after this show closes, Koko will return to Japan for yet another operation which is expected to greatly inhibit her mobility, making this her last likely visit to the United States.

Contact director Matt Kennedy to make a purchase, a donation, or to be placed on the preview attendee’s list.

For purchase info contact:

Matt Kennedy
Gallery Director
(323)547-3227
info@gallery30south.com