gallery gen NY: Opening Report Yoshiaki Yuki at CLODAGH COLLECTION

gallery gen would like to thank you for being the first to attend and to experience this new collaboration between art and design at Clodagh New York. For those who were unable to attend, we would like to share the reception event, together with a virtual preview of the show.

Going beyond the white walls of a gallery setting, Yoshiaki Yuki's art is juxtaposed with the stunning home furnishings of Clodagh Collection, creating a wonderfully warm home environment.

The entrance lobby (left) welcomes the fall season with a display of Yuki's paintings, boldly depicting autumn colors through the application of traditional Japanese pigments on hand made paper. Together with the wall piece to the left (titled "Returning" [kan]) the metropolitan club chairs are nestled next to an arrangement of deep red and orange branches.

Walking under the brick arch, you enter Clodagh's main exhibition hall. Yuki's free-forming 8-panel screen "Clouds" [kumo] surrounds a curving lounge chair. An Edo period standing Jizo accents the serenity of the scene, creating a place to sit back, relax and dream.

Walking past the shimmering silver and gold display, one passes through another brick arch and is greeted by the tall red and black
"The Woods" [hayashi] screen series. These screens have turned this entire space into a forest visible from every angle. The dining area, relaxation area, bathing area, and even the bed seem to be positioned in little grassy openings within this forest.

As one leisurely wanders back through the exhibit, sunlight appears through the large floor to ceiling windows in the front. Here, there is an air of stillness and peace. Light filters gently through the sheer tapestries from the "Transparency and Reflection" series by Jun-ichi Arai (limited collaborative works by Arai and Yuki). They contrast Clodagh's acacia tree furniture which seems to sprout forthfrom the ground. With the sound of water running near by, this cleansing environment set the stage for the tea ceremony performed by Rumi Okada on opening night.

Special thanks also to Marybeth Welch for her individually hand-made Japanese confectionaries (below) which were offred with the tea.

All of the works on exhibit can also be accessed through www.yoshiakiyuki.com. For those able to visit this SOHO showroom, we look forward to seeing you soon.

gallery gen