Akira Yoshikawa: Resurgence

We are excited to present Resurgence, the inaugural solo exhibition by Akira Yoshikawa at United Contemporary. This collection of works, spanning from 1990 to the present, offers a concise and reflective overview of the artist’s practice. Inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘Artless Art,’ Yoshikawa’s work embraces intuitive and natural expression, stripping away excess to reveal a distilled essence. His approach resonates with the aesthetic purity of North American Minimalism from the 1970s, reflecting his ethos of simplicity and focus on the essential.

The works presented in Resurgence, created using charcoal, paint, and steel on paper, reveal the influence of Canadian artist David Rabinowitch, a mentor and longstanding source of inspiration for Yoshikawa. Some pieces, initially begun in 1997, have been revisited by the artist, incorporating new elements and vibrant touches of paint. As the title suggests, this collection of works reflects on the artist's early and foundational pieces, offering a new lens for interpretation of his oeuvre.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Yoshikawa has exhibited at notable public institutions, including the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Art Gallery of Peterborough, Tom Thomson Memorial Gallery, Mercer Union, Art Gallery of Algoma, and the Koffler Centre. His works are held in prominent collections such as the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen's University, the Art Gallery of Guelph, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Global Affairs Canada, the Glenbow Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.