"I still have a picture that I drew when I was two years old." While that statement proves Yumi's natural affinity for art and her long-standing passion, the unfolding of her unique style is a story of growth and discovery.
Yumiko Kayukawa was born in the small town of Naie in Hokkaido, Japan. The panoramic beauty of her surroundings and feelings of communication with the native animals inspired her to paint the things around her. As a teenager she also fell in love "with the energy and giddiness" of American pop-culture through her exposure to rock n' roll, film, and fashion. By the age of 16, she had debuted into the art world with a comic-book (Manga) feature.
After graduating from Art school, she continued to paint, but struggled with truly expressing herself in her art. Fortunately, this frustration took a dramatic turn during a visit to Seattle where Yumi painted a picture at the request of an American friend. In comic-book style, two girls sit entwined atop a mushroom, Japanese symbols and American pop art styles melding together in lively color and bold lines. Yumi now realized her art persona - sagacious Japanese tradition in synergy with the jubilant irreverence of American pop culture.
What does she see for her future as an artist? "I'd rather my paintings hang next to rock star pin-ups than on museum walls. Ultimately I want to connect with people all over the world on that level", she says with a smile. When we look at her work, it's obviously just a matter of time.
story by Nobunaga Estrada
September 2008 with Niagara, Richard Goodall Gallery, Manchester, UK
August 2007 "World Wide Enemy" The Shooting Gallery, San Francisco. Solo show
March 2007 "Tag Of War" Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington DC. Group exhibition.
February 2007 "Girl Cocktail" M Modern gallery, Palm Springs. A side-by side solo show with Shag
December 2006 "We'll make a lover of you" Miami art center/Miami art Basel.
October 2006 Nucleus Gallery. "Bliss Express" group exhibition .
Aug 2006 M Modern Gallery. A group exhibition tribute to Dr.Sues.
July 2006 M Modern Gallery. A group exhibition tribute to 007.
July 2006 La Luz De JEsus gallery "I'm from Japan. My father is Ninja, My mother is Geisha." solo show.
May 2006 The Sooting gallery "Year Of The Dog" show with John John Jesse.
Mar 2006 Juxtapoz group show at OX-OP gallery.
Jan 2006 Chester's Blacksmith Shop - " Young Guns " group show at the Sundance Film Festival.
Nov 2005 Roq La Rue Gallery - " Beast From The East " show with Moira Hahn.
Sep 2005 Nucleus Gallery - a group show " The Girl Show "
Apr 2005 DC Gallery - a solo show.
Jan 2005 The Shooting Gallery - a show with Wanyu Chou and Lisa Alisa
Nov 2004 Ox-Op Gallery - a show with Oksana Badrak
Oct 2004 Fuse Gallery - a group show of Juxtapoz magazine.
Oct 2004 M Modern Gallery - a show with Kii Arens
May 2004 M Modern Gallery - a group show "I Love Tiki"
May 2004 The Shooting Gallery - a group show "Tokyo Monster".
Apr 2004 Ox-Op - a group show "XX Chromosome"
Apr 2004 Kantor Gallery - a solo show
Feb 2004 M Modern Gallery - a group show "Modern Love"
Feb 2004 Roq La Rue - show with Kipling West, and Andrew Brandou aka Howdy Pardner.
Dec 2003 The Shooting Gallery - solo show
Oct 2003 CPOP Gallery - solo show
May 2003 Kantor Gallery - solo show.
Apr 2003 Roq La Rue Gallery - sold out in one day.
Jan 2003 Roq La Rue Gallery - a group show "Gods and Monsters"
Sep 2002 Roq La Rue Gallery - sold out opening night.
Aug 2002 Joined the "What Is Art" Collective (membership is by invitation only).
Jul 2002 Cover of "The Stranger".
May 2002 Roq La Rue Gallery - a group show "Draw" - sold out opening night.
Apr 2002 BEMIS group show in Seattle
Mar 2002 Roq La Rue Gallery - sold out first week
Jul 2001 Roq La Rue Gallery in Seattle - debut show in the U.S.
2001 Shinoro Art Project - placing art in typical life spaces throughout Sapporo.
Sep 2000 Cover of gaming magazine "New Generation".
Mar 1999 Cover of "New Generation".
1989-1997 Illustration and artwork for Sapporo-area rock show promotions.
1995 Illustration work for Rotten Orange Records.
Sep 1991 Manga "Power" featured in "The Marguerite"
1990 Graduation from BISEN Art School, Sapporo Japan. Coveted art exhibition prize-winner.
Mar 1988 Manga "Bonnetto Ni Neko" (a cat on the hood) featured in "The Marguerite".
Apr 1986 Debut Manga "Merry Christmas Children" featured in the very popular MANGA "The Marguerite". Prize as a "a fine, commendable work for a new face". (She was just 16 years old.)
