Biografie von Kenzo OKADA (1902-1982)

Birth place: Yokohama, Japan

Addresses: NYC

Profession: Painter

Studied: in Paris with Foujita, 1924

Exhibited: Michido Gal., Tokyo, 1927 (1st solo); PAFA Ann., 1954, 1962, 1966; S„o Paolo Biennial, Brazil (representing the U.S.), 1955; Columbia Biennial, SC, 1957 (1st prize); Corcoran Gal. biennials, 1957-63 (4 times); Venice Biennial (representing Japan), 1958; Albright-Knox Art Gal., Buffalo, NY, 1965; Nat.-MoMA, Kyoto (1966-67 retrospective traveling exh. to Asahi-Shimbun Press, Tokyo; Honolulu Acad. Arts; de Young Mem. Mus., San Fran.; Univ. Texas Art Mus.); WMAA; Betty Parsons Gal., 1953-71 (solos). Other awards: Mainichi Art Award, 1966; Award Poster, New York Council of the Arts, 1969.

Work: MMA; MoMA; AIC; WMAA; Solomon R. Guggenheim Mus., NYC; BM; CI; Baltimore Mus. Art. Commissions: murals & paintings for Hilton Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, Dunn Int., Ford Found., UNESCO & Venice Biennial.

Comments: He achieved considerable success as a realist painter in Japan before emigrating to the U.S. in 1950. In America he turned to abstraction, and as he matured his work became more austere. In his late work he added some figurative elements, drawn from the ancient Japanese Noh drama.

Sources: WW73; 300 Years of American Art, 901; Gordon B. Washburn, Retrospective Traveling Show, catalogue (1966-1967); J. Canaday, "Okada's Figurative Style," NY Times, March 15, 1969; Grace Clueck, Early Light," Art in Am. (March-April, 1969); Falk, Exh. Record Series.