Iku Oseki

When Masks Whisper History, Acrylic

What are your earliest memories of being artistic?  I was always drawing as a child growing up in Japan. Adults around told me I was good at doing so. My mother loves western art, and I was exposed to her collection of art books that covered anything from cave paintings to the impressionists.

When did art become a pursuit?  After my getting BA from a liberal art college, I went to Mass Art here in Boston, studied various media for four years, pretty much full time. I loved it although I did not get a degree.

How did you first become involved with CAA?  I have joined CAA just this January. I was told by my fellow local artists that it is a good place for net-working and to have opportunity to expose my work.

In what other ways are you involved in the local art community?  I have been working at Vernon Street Studios and participating in the open studios since 2011. I also have been teaching art at Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge for last twenty years.

New Orleans Street Scene, Acrylic

What role do you think the artist plays in society?  I think artists are thinkers and are in some way like philosophers; they challenge and explore the notion of human perception. Their work ends up reflecting the current issues of society, but also inevitably it has to deal with art history and what artists generations past were trying to do.

What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium?  Acrylic. I still teach oil painting to my students, however. Being a teacher, summer is the prime time for me to work, and I travel a lot in summer. After 9-11, oil paints are not allowed in airplanes. It is so much easier to deal with the fast drying acrylics when I travel.

What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days?  I have been always fascinated by people intently doing something. Musicians became my favorite subject because I love music and go often see and listen to live music. Watching them play and their expressions, the shape of instruments, etc. have been a great inspiration to me. I also think of lines as powerful communicator just as in Japanese calligraphy. I use lines as an expressive tool.

In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made?  I made a much more abstract version of “Boys In Front Of Coffee Shop,” and I really like it. I did not include in this survey, though.

Boys In Front Of Coffee Shop, Acrylic

What is one of your artistic goals?  I would like to paint full time as start to think about my retirement in several years. I have tried and played with many media ( it’s necessary as an art teacher ), but now I just want to paint, and painting continues to fascinate me.

What’s your favorite place to see art?  Mass MoCA; so spacious and not at all crowded. My in-laws live in New York City, and I of course go there to see art on school vacations, too. But, I also love the local scene here in Boston area. Open studios are very inspiring.

What living artists are you inspired by?  Lately, I have been fascinated by Titus Kapher. But, as I said above, I am constantly being inspired by local unknown artists, too.

Do you own any art by other artists?  Yes, of local artists and friends’

See more Iku!

Website:  ikuoseki.artspan.com
Instagram: osekiiku
Facebook:  Iku Oseki / ART