fuwa fuwa (shunyata series) Oil on Canvas 2009 72x48 © Junko Yamamoto

THE VISUAL DENOUEMENT IS THE RICH HIDDEN LAYERS OF RASPBERRY, escaping to the surface just enough to bring level contrast to the overall palette. This month Ibuki magazine introduces the artwork of Junko Yamamoto. Japanese artist Yamamoto is perhaps not as well-known as she ought to be. Her paintings are as colorful as a euphoric dream. SAM Gallery Seattle has been displaying her works for over 10 years. She has had exhibitions at IMA Gallery Seattle, ec-gallery Chicago, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House in Ohio, J-Trip Art Gallery Tokyo and numerous galleries around the world.  Born in Tokyo and now residing in Seattle, Yamamoto still has memories of painting from the age of three. Having the desire to study abroad, Junko moved to the US and went on to graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1999. In 1998 Junko had her first exhibition at Theatre off Jackson in Seattle’s International District.
Her current line of paintings is based on what she describes as “shunyata,” the Sanskrit word for “emptiness.” She enjoys playing around with the concept of what is empty and what is full. It carries over into the way she uses layers in her art. “For example, the first layer on the surface will usually be hidden deep below other features of the design,” she says.  “But I like to reveal hidden pockets of this layer that show up on the surface.” Shunyata has become the backbone of her portfolio work. While painting, Junko draws on her childhood memories, saying, “Growing up in Japan, I was surrounded by Japanese cartoons and pop culture. I recall wearing pretty, brightly colored kimonos as a little girl…that is very nostalgic for me, I connect with it and it inspires me.” This inspiration is very obvious in her work. Junko’s abstract art straddles Japanese pop culture while remaining distinctly separated from the crowd. Her shunyata series, which may become her life’s work, is a beautiful collection that revels in opulent decorative detail.

(* Her exhibition at ec-gallery Chicago will be held in May 2010)

It’s time (shunyata Series) Oil on Canvas 2008 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto	Journey (shunyata Sereis) 2008 Oil on Canvas 84x84 © Junko Yamamoto
piu piu (shunyata series) 2009 Oil on canvas 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto	puwa puwa (shunyata series) Oil on Canvas 2008 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto

Her latest works can be seen at:
City Centre   1420 5TH Ave Ste 450 Seattle, WA
Alexis Hotel  1007 1st Ave, Seattle, WA
SAM gallery  1220 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA
Gallery IMA  123 South Jackson St, Seattle, WA
Info: www.junkoyamamoto.com