James Kudo

JA

ME

S K UD O

2007~2017

Powerplant (polyptych), 2015, acrylic on canvas, 100 X 160 cm < Puxadinho, 2012, plastic adhesive on wall

JAMES KUDO Paula Braga James Kudo nasceu em uma cidade que virou água.

Em 1990, a usina hidroelétrica de Três Irmãos formou um lago que inundou partes da antiga cidade Novo Oriente, construída por imigrantes japoneses no início do século 20. Kudo trabalha em seus desenhos a memória desse lugar que vem se transformando, de floresta em cidade, de cidade em lago.

O nome da cidade também se transformou, de Novo Oriente para Pereira Barreto, menos comprometedor na época da guerra fria. Assim, as pinturas de Kudo citam as fórmicas que revestiam balcões e armários nos anos 1970, as estampas de toalhas de mesas, quase sempre elementos que o menino via na

James Kudo was born in a town that turned into water. In 1990, the hydroelectric power plant Três Irmãos generated a lake that flooded parts of the city formerly known as Novo Oriente (New East), built by Japanese immigrants in the beginning of the 20th Century. Kudo’s subject matter is his memories from that place that is in constant transformation, from forest to town, from town to lake. The name of the town has also changed during the Cold War, from New East to Pereira Barreto. Thus, Kudo’s paintings cite the formica that used to cover counter tops and cabinets in the 1970s, the patterns from table cloths, almost always elements the boy used to see in the kitchens

cozinha dessas casas de uma cidade que hoje não tem nome, uma Nova Atlântida, afundada na água.

A memória dessa cidade aparece nas telas de Kudo em fragmentos, que imitam uma colagem. E não é assim que a memória surge, em fragmentos de cores, texturas, que vão se sobrepondo para que se construa uma narrativa? Kudo vai puxando pela memória e pintando seus puxadinhos de fórmica, arquiteturas de escafandrista, que traz à tona algumas paredes das quais o menino se lembra. Se as cores e padronagens usadas nessas pinturas remetem a cozinhas domésticas dos anos 1970, a mistura de fragmentos que essas telas propõem remetem à culinária japonesa, que oferece temperos separados para que a mistura aconteça dentro da boca, dentro do corpo.

Arroz sem sal, peixe cru, cogumelo, gengibre cortado, uma gota de erva forte. E tudo gira nas papilas em um estouro de sabor. Assim também funciona o olhar nas telas de Kudo, que recebe elementos esparsos e unifica-os em memória dessa cidade perdida.

Um osso de bacia, o pássaro voou, a toalha está na mesa. Hai-Kai visual. Balões coloridos que sugerem diálogos de histórias em quadrinhos se acumulam nas telas, como se várias vozes fizessem diferentes leituras desse poema, ou como se ainda se fizessem ouvir do fundo do lago.

Mesmo para quem não viveu em uma cidade que hoje é lago, a memória funciona também como uma exploração de escafandrista, que se arrisca a mergulhar em ausências, achando imagens que emergem e re-submergem, silhuetas do passado, como as que Kudo pinta imitando recortes em madeira de um pássaro (voou), de uma caveira (já mais não é), de um maço de cogumelos (nasceu da umidade de uma lembrança fugidia). Daí essas composições serem tão dinâmicas e flutuantes. Desconfio que se embaralham de um dia para o outro, que o pinheiro mude de lugar, que surja um círculo colorido onde ontem havia um diamante. Elemento recorrente nas composições desse artista, o intestino colorido que flutua sobre outras formas indica um ciclo. Com efeito, esses fragmentos de memória são cíclicos: o ciclo da imigração japonesa, o ciclo da água, o ciclo de signos que compõem o imaginário de uma infância.

of the homes of a town that currently has no name, a New Atlantis, flooded in water.

The memory of this town appears in Kudo’s paintings through fragments, which imitate a collage. And isn’t it the way memory functions, in fragments of colors, textures, that are superposed to construct a narrative?

Kudo stretches his memory and paints long walls of formic, like the architecture by a deep-sea diver, bringing to the surface the walls the boy remembers. While the colors and patterns reminds one of kitchens from the 1970s, the mix of fragments proposed by these canvases can be related to Japanese food, which offers separated seasonings so that the mixture occurs inside the mouth, inside the body. Plain rice, raw fish, ginger, a drop of wasabi. Everything spins on the taste buds in an explosion of flavor. So works sight in Kudo’s paintings, which receives scattered elements and unify them in memories of the lost town. A pelvis bone, a bird flies, the table cloth in on the table. Visual Hai-Kai. Colorful balloons that remind one of comics dialogues get accumulated on the canvas, as if different voices were interpreting these poems or could be heard from the deepness of the lake.

Even for people who have never been to a town that became a lake, memory also works as a deep-sea diver exploration, who takes the risk of diving into absences, finding images that emerge and submerge, silhouettes from the past, like the ones Kudo paints imitating wood cuts of a bird (that has flown), of a skull (which has ceased to be), and a bunch of mushrooms (that were born out of the humidity of a flickering reminiscence). Thus the dynamism of these compositions. I suspect they get themselves shuffled from one day to the other, that the pine-tree changes place, that a colorful circle appears where yesterday was a diamond shape. A recurrent element in the compositions of this artist, the colorful intestine that hovers over other shapes points to a cycle. In fact, these fragments of memory are cyclic: the cycle of Japanese immigration, the cycle of water, the cycle of signs that compose the imaginary of a childhood.

< Untitled, 2007 drawing on paper 48 X 61 cm < Untitled, 2007 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm Untitled, 2009 drawing on paper 61 X 48 cm Untitled, 2009 drawing on paper 61 X 48 cm Untitled, 2009 drawing on paper 61 X 48 cm

Windows series, 2007 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm > Windows series, 2007 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

> Windows series, 2007 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

> Windows series, 2010 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

> Windows series, 2010 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

> Windows series, 2010 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

> Windows series, 2010 acrylic on canvas 30 X 30 cm

< Love until die, 2007 acrylic on canvas 40 X 30 cm Untitled, 2011 acrylic on canvas Ø 180 cm Untitled, 2011 acrylic on canvas Ø 180 cm

Untitled, 2009 acrylic on canvas 100 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2009 acrylic on canvas 100 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2009 acrylic on canvas 120 X 200 cm

Powerplant, 2009 acrylic on canvas Ã&#x2DC; 80 cm

Untitled, 2010 acrylic on canvas Ã&#x2DC; 40 cm

Puxadinho, 2010 acrylic on canvas 20 X 180 cm

Hydroelectric plant, 2011 acrylic on canvas 150 X 160 cm

Untitled, 2011 acrylic on canvas 180 X 200 cm

Rorschach, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 160 X 400 cm

Untitled, 2011 acrylic on canvas 160 X 400 cm

Untitled, 2011 acrylic on canvas 160 X 400 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 80 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 80 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 80 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 80 X 80 cm

< Mushrooms, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Mushrooms, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Mushrooms, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Mushrooms, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Plants, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Plants, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm < Plants, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm

> Untitled, 2011 books and wood 60 X 40 X40 cm

< Plants, 2011 gouache on paper 48 X 61 cm

> Untitled, 2012 acrylic on wood 30 X 30 X 25 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 160 X 140 cm

Untitled, 2012 acrylic on canvas 160 X 140 cm

Puxadinho, 2013 acrylic on canvas 60 X 60 cm Puxadinho, 2013 acrylic on canvas 60 X 60 cm

Puxadinho, 2013 acrylic on canvas 60 X 60 cm

Puxadinho, 2013 acrylic on canvas 60 X 60 cm

> Untitled, 2013 acrylic on canvas 140 X 95 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 100 X 100 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 100 X 100 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 150 X 180 cm Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

> Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm > Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

> Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 40 X 30 cm

> Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

Untitled, 2014 acrylic on canvas 40 X 30 cm

> Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

< Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm < Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm < Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 49 X 34 cm

< Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

< Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 49 X 34 cm

Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 150 X 180 cm

Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 150 X 180 cm

< Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 150 X 150 cm Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 120 X 140 cm Untitled, 2015 acrylic on canvas 120 X 140 cm

Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm > Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

> Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

> Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

> Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 60 X 50 cm

Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 80 X 100 cm > Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 X 80 cm

Untitled, 2016 acrylic on canvas 100 X 120 cm

Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

< Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 150 X 130 cm Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 100 X 100 cm Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 100 X 100 cm Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 100 X 100 cm

Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

Untitled, 2017 acrylic on canvas 130 X 150 cm

JAMES KUDO

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1967

2017

Pereira Barreto, Brazil Lives and works in Sao Paulo, Brazil

GRADUATION

2016

1990

Centro Universitario Belas Artes de Sao Paulo (FEBASP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil 1992~94 Art Student League - New York, USA

2015

2014

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2017

2015

2011 2009 2008 2007 2005

2004 2003 2002 2001

1998

1997 1996 1995

1994

1993

1992

Mimético Sintético, Murilo Castro Gallery - Belo Horizonte, Brazil Oximoros, Zipper Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Art15 - London - UK Epítome Da Paisagem, Luciana Caravello Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Topofilia, Zipper Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Telurico, Laura Marsiaj Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Promo Arte - Tokyo, Japan Dan Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil AIDEC Gallery - Tokyo, Japan Paris Gallery - Yokohama, Japan Promo Arte - Latin American Gallery - Tokyo, Japan Sobre Pedras Caixas E Esperancas, Deco Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazilian American Cultural Institut - Washington, USA Dan Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Promo Arte - Latin American Gallery - Tokyo, Japan Candido Mendes Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Kunstraum Notariat - Nuremberg, Germany Bipi’s Galerie - Cologne, Germany Museu de Arte de Ribeirao Preto (MARP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Promo Arte - Latin American Gallery - Tokyo, Japan SESC Paulista - Sao Paulo, Brazil Museu de Arte Contemporanea (MAC) - Campinas, Brazil Promo Arte - Latin American Gallery - Tokyo, Japan Icaro Gallery - New York, USA Fundacao Mokiti Okada (MOA) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Amerasia Bank - New York, USA

2013 2012

2011 2010 2009

2008

2007 2004 2003

Pintura, Caixa Cultural - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Os Desígnios Da Arte Contemporânea No Brasil, MACUSP Museum of Contemporary of SP University - Sao Paulo, Brazil Olhar Incomum, MOM Oscar Niemeyer Museum Curitiba, Brazil Spectrum, Eigenheim Weimar Gallery - Berlin, Germany Inter Aktion, Brasilien In Sacrow - Potsdam, Germany Vértice, National Museum of Correios - Brasilia, Brazil 100 Painters Of Tomorrow, Beer Contemporary London, Uk Entre Copas, Museu Nacional do Conjunto Cultural da República - Brasilia, Brazil Shouts of Korea, Kotra Open Gallery - Seoul, South Korea U.S With No Politics, Caminul Artei - Bucharest, Romania Duplo Olhar, Paço das Artes - Sao Paulo, Brazil Eclipse, Pinacoteca de Sao Caetano, Brazil Entre Dois Mundos, Museu Afro - Sao Paulo, Brazil Expeditionen In Asthetik Und Nachhaltigkeit, Memorial of Latin America - Sao Paulo, Brazil Espelho Refletido, Centro de Artes Hélio Oiticica - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Aí Vai Muito Da Pessoa, Luciana Caravello Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Bazil Liebe Leidenschaft, AEG - Nuremberg, Germany Realidades, SESC Pinheiros - Sao Paulo, Brazil Arsenal, Emma Thomas Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Abracos, Rodin Museum - Salvador, Brazil Hyogo Museum - Kobe, Japan Alcova, Laura Marsiaj Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Co-Labor, Amarelonegro Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Roupa De Domingo, Virgilio Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Acervo 2008, Virgilio Gallery - Sao Paulo, Brazil Theatre de Sense Gallery - Tokyo, Japan Banco Real Collection Exhibition - Sao Paulo, Brazil Nipo Brasileiros Na Pinacoteca, Pinacoteca do Estado Sao Paulo, Brazil Trajetória Das Artes Plasticas Nikkey Do Brasil - Ehime/ Yokohama/ Kumamoto, Japan 100 Anos De Arte Nikkey Do Brasil, CCBB - Rio de Janeiro/Brasilia - Brazil 100 Anos De Arte Nikkey Do Brasil, Museu Brasileiro da Escultura (MUBE) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Do Yukioe ao Manga, Bovespa - Sao Paulo, Brazil Creative Art Session, Kawasaki City Museum Kawasaki, Japan Arte Brasileira Contemporanea, Murilo Castro Gallery Belo Horizonte, Brazil Novos Representados, Laura Marsiaj Gallery - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Entre Hemisferios, Aion Gallery - Vancouver, Canada Diretrizes, Casa da Cultura de Ribeirao Preto - Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

2002 2000 1998

1996

1995

1994 1991 1987

Palmo Quadrado, Espaco Cultural Alumini - Sao Paulo, Brazil Geracoes, Espaco UNICID - Sao Paulo, Brazil Entre Hemisferios, Gunter Braunsberg Galerie Nuremberg, Germany Today - Latin American & Caribbean Contemporary Art, Miura Museum of Art - Matsuyama, Japan Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) - Sao Paulo - Brazil Tannan Art Festival ‘98 - Fukui, Japan Contemporary Brazilian Nikkey Artists, Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Five Brazilian Artists Tannan Art Festival’96 - Fukui, Japan Celebration Of Centennial By Tsuchioka Hidetaro Fukui, Japan Contemporary Brazilian Nikkey Artists, Gifu Kenjitsu Museum/ Tokyo Azabu Museum/ Niigata Ken Min Gallery/ Tokushima Kiyodo Museum, Japan Artistas Japoneses E Nipo-Brasileiros Contemporâneos, Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MAC/USP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil 100 Anos De Amizade, Museu Metropolitano de Arte (MUMA) - Curitiba, Brazil Mostra Brasil - Japão, Fundacao Mokiti Okada (MOA) Sao Paulo, Brazil Tiegarten Galerie - Berlin, Germany Wege Marken - Ibero Amerikanisches Institut, PK Berlin, Germany Afluentes, Casa do Olhar - Santo Andre, Brazil Kultur Fabrik - Roth, Germany Fundacao Mokiti Okada (MOA) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Banco Real Collection - Sao Paulo, Brazil Pinacoteca do Estado - Sao Paulo, Brazil Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Universidade de Sao Paulo (MAC/USP) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Museu de Arte Nipo Brasileira (Bunkyo) - Sao Paulo, Brazil Museu de Imigracao Japonesa - Registro, Brazil Museum of Art Miura (Miurart) - Matsuyama, Japan Instituto Itau Cultural - Sao Paulo, Brazil Nucleo Henfil de Arte - Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil Universidade do Amazonas (UNAMA) - Belem, Brazil Jens Olesen Collections - Denmark Ricard Akagawa Collection - Sao Paulo, Brazil Metropolis Collection, TV Cultura - Sao Paulo, Brazil Bank Boston Collection - Sao Paulo, Brazil SESC Collection - Sao Paulo, Brazil

Untitled, 2008, acrylic on wood and marble

Texto Paula Braga Projeto Gráfico Silvio Tobias Fotos Acervo pessoal Agradecimento especial a Luci Mubarack © 2017 James Kudo