Naoki Iwakawa was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1967. Growing up, he became interested the New York art world after reading about it in magazines. He graduated from Osaka University of the Arts, where he also taught briefly as an assistant professor of Graphic Design.
At the age of 24 he moved to New York City, where he began showing art at OK Harris and Noho Gallery in Manhattan. In 1996, he co-founded the CAVE, an experimental art space that fostered an eclectic group of musicians, artists, and performers. At the CAVE, he further developed his interest in live performance painting as well as the artistic use of fire, a practice that would later garner him the title of Village Voice’s Best Pyrotechnic Action Painter (2008). He learned to produce paintings instinctively, with an emphasis on acceptance of the natural world and the present moment. The idea of the moment, as sought by Zen Buddhists, has been the prominent theme of his work and life.
Naoki is also drawn to the relationship between music and visual art. He collaborated for many years with Tim Wright, of the band DNA. One of his latest projects is Sense of Noise, a performance series featuring artists and musicians improvising together over a single yet constantly transforming idea.
At the age of 24 he moved to New York City, where he began showing art at OK Harris and Noho Gallery in Manhattan. In 1996, he co-founded the CAVE, an experimental art space that fostered an eclectic group of musicians, artists, and performers. At the CAVE, he further developed his interest in live performance painting as well as the artistic use of fire, a practice that would later garner him the title of Village Voice’s Best Pyrotechnic Action Painter (2008). He learned to produce paintings instinctively, with an emphasis on acceptance of the natural world and the present moment. The idea of the moment, as sought by Zen Buddhists, has been the prominent theme of his work and life.
Naoki is also drawn to the relationship between music and visual art. He collaborated for many years with Tim Wright, of the band DNA. One of his latest projects is Sense of Noise, a performance series featuring artists and musicians improvising together over a single yet constantly transforming idea.
MANIFESTO
In the past man had a closer relationship with his gods. In Christianity, man had Jesus; in Islam, man had Allah via Mohammed, in Judaism, man had Yahweh. Buddhism differed somewhat in that man was not created as separation between man and his gods.I do not view this as a loss. Rather, I think it provides us with a chance to reevaluate our relationship with both the spiritual and material worlds.
In my art, I attempt to express a more primal state in which we once lived and in which we will live again. I believe man has an inherent understanding of beauty and truth. I attempt to show these in my art. However, when I paint on a canvas I see that I have fallen short.
Action painting is another attempt to truly be in the moment. The same state I seek is the same state which Zen Buddhists seek, an unmediated awareness of existence. Although Zen and action painting may seem very different, they have the same goal. In the process of creating a work, paint drips and spills, I move and tire. The canvas sometimes tears and brushes often break. I feel that the untidiness of this truly reflects life.
In my art, I attempt to express a more primal state in which we once lived and in which we will live again. I believe man has an inherent understanding of beauty and truth. I attempt to show these in my art. However, when I paint on a canvas I see that I have fallen short.
Action painting is another attempt to truly be in the moment. The same state I seek is the same state which Zen Buddhists seek, an unmediated awareness of existence. Although Zen and action painting may seem very different, they have the same goal. In the process of creating a work, paint drips and spills, I move and tire. The canvas sometimes tears and brushes often break. I feel that the untidiness of this truly reflects life.
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