About Keiko Genka
Thanks for visiting my Portfolio.
Artist Statement
To this day, I continue to carry my childhood fantasy. Coming from an eastern culture, my ideal world existed in colorfully illustrated books of foreign cities. I remember the cheerful colors and neatly designed architectural landscapes. My admiration for foreign places was so strong, that I now live outside my country of Japan. From a child’s eyes, the Japanese culture seemed so dull and colorless. Although I now realize the beauty of simplicity and subtlety in my own culture, I still try to capture the excitement I experienced in those western books from my teenage years. When I travel, unfamiliar places remind me that there is something special in every location. Each street corner has its own story and it reveals the beauty of life and death. Besides my visual attraction to space, signage also provides curious insights when I plan my paintings. Even commercial and road signs can reveal intriguing aspects about a place. Recently I noticed myself painting more and more complex compositions. Somehow visual clutter is very appealing to my conscience. I see energy flow in it. Even though I despise chaotic living myself, I believe my paintings reflect our overloaded contemporary life style.
It is ironic that now I am inspired by the beauty of Japan as well.
Artist Resume
keikogenka@gmail.com
keikogenka.crevado.com
Gallery C Representation: galleryc.net
Education:
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Bachelor of Art and Design, 1997
Concentration: Painting
Commissions:
1993 Charles B. Aycock Birthplace
State Historic Site
Fremont, NC
1994 Foundation of WCC
Goldsboro, NC
1996 Stage Struck
Goldsboro, NC
1997 Roy Foye
Selma, NC
1998 Roy Foye
Selma, NC
2005 “GUS"
Raleigh Red Wolf Ramble
Raleigh, NC
2006 “Pullen Zoo”
Duke Hospital
Raleigh, NC
2007 “Pit Stop”
Convenience store/petroleum organization
Raleigh, NC
2020 “Shiroi Usagi”
Private Commission
Raleigh, NC
Professional Activities:
> Johnstonian Visual Artists (1997-2000)
Johnston County Arts Council
Smithfield, NC
> Board of Directors (2003-2005)
Garner Arts Association
Garner, NC
> Judge for student art (visual art, music composition, photography, literature)
‘03-’04 Reflections Program
Penny Road elementary School
Cary, NC
Exhibitions:
1994 "Keiko Genka: Solo Exhibition"
Atrium Gallery
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC
1997 “Through Women's Eyes, By Women's Hands”
Women's Center Gallery
George Watts Hill Alumni Center
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
“Art, Architecture, and Antiquities”
First Baptist Church
Smithfield, NC
“Arts on the Neuse”
Johnston County Arts Council
Smithfield, NC
Johnstonian Visual Artists
Fourth Annual Juried Art Show
Great Hall Gallery
Paul A. Johnston Auditorium
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC
1998 “New Works in the Triangle”
Duke University
Durham, NC
1999 "Café Monet"
Smithfield, NC
"Johnstonian Visual Artists"
Fifth Annual Juried Art Show
Great Hall Gallery
Paul A. Johnston Auditorium
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC
2000 "Clayton Art Faire"
Woman’s Club
Clayton, NC
2001 “Art & Design Alumni Exhibition 2001”
Brooks Gallery
College of Design
NC State University
Raleigh, NC
“Recent Paintings” (solo exhibition)
Garner Historic Auditorium Gallery
Garner, NC
“12th Annual New Show”
Visual Art Exchange
Raleigh, NC
"Clayton Art Faire"
Woman’s Club
Clayton, NC
2002 "Keiko Genka: Solo Exhibition"
Garner Historic Auditorium Gallery
Garner, NC
2003 “Silent Visions” (solo exhibition)
Page-Walker Art & History Center
Cary, NC
"Red Door Gallery"
Clayton, NC
“Town & Country” – BEST of Show Award
Visual Art Exchange
Raleigh, NC
“Instructors’ Show”
Jordan Hall Arts Center
Cary, NC
2004 "26th Annual Raleigh Fine Arts Society Artist Exhibit"
Frankie G. Weems Art Gallery
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
"North Carolina Community College Art Exhibit"
Caswell Building
Raleigh, NC
2008 “New Works on Canvas” Keiko Genka & Jean Jack
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
2010 “Invitation to Sushi Country”
Acrylic Paintings by Keiko Genka (solo exhibition)
NC Japan Center
Raleigh, NC
2011 "Keiko Genka and Jimmy Craig Womble"
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
“ReLocations”
Green Hill Center for NC Art
Greensboro, NC
"2011 Art Faire"
The Clayton Center Gallery
Clayton, NC
2012 "PieBird Solo Exhibition"
Raleigh, NC
"Keiko Genka Solo Exhibition"
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
"Keiko Genka Solo Exhibition"
Clayton Art Center
Clayton, NC
2013 "Hot and Steamy: The Art of Coffee"
Group Show
Gallery C and Helios Cafe
Raleigh, NC
2014 “Under the Big Top: Art of the Circus”
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
2015 “Carolina’s Got Art”
Elder Art Gallery
Charlotte, NC
2016 “Southern Discomfort: The Art of Dixie”
Gallery C
Raleigh, NC
2017 “Art Gala” Second Place Prize
North Ridge Country Club
Raleigh, NC
“FAR OUT! The Art of Rock and Roll”
GalleryC
Raleigh, NC
2019 “Art Gala” First Place Prize: Purchase Award
North Ridge Country Club
Raleigh, NC