Campus Heroes
A self-professed “art enjoyer”
Jeanne Fronda, Staff
Photo by David Lipnowski.
The Campus Heroes column highlights U of M staff or students and their art or art-related work. If you think someone should be profiled, then send an e-mail to tobanarts@umanitoba.ca
Takashi Iwasaki is a thoughtful person.
“I try not to hurt people’s eyes, as well as my eyes,” joked Iwasaki, who likes to create multicolored works that feature vivid colours. “I like to create images which are pleasing for me to look at.”
Originally from Japan, Iwasaki came to Canada three and a half years ago so he could study the English language as well as fine art. The fourth-year fine art student said he enjoyed drawing when he was a young boy, so while other kids were running around outside, he was indoors experimenting with origami.
Inspired by whatever surrounds him, Iwasaki believes that almost anything could affect his work. Even the colour combinations that he stumbles upon in magazines could influence his pieces, which include drawing, painting, embroidery and collage.
“I open magazines [and see] colour combinations or nice shapes that I might enjoy,” said Iwasaki. “Whatever I see, it inspires me. It must be many unconscious things [that influence me].”
Although he’s studying drawing for his thesis, Iwasaki’s first solo show, Positive Atmosphere, features seven oil paintings.
“I like painting now,” he said. “I like the vibrant colour. It’s easier for paint to create vibrant colour [than for pencil].”
The range and brilliant colours he uses is obvious in his works. Many of them feature bright oranges, reds, greens and blues, which complement each other beautifully. For several of the works in Positive Atmosphere, Iwasaki has also scratched and cut the paint to create various lines and circular or square images. Several of the forms in his paintings that are currently on display are indiscernible, but that’s also part of the fun in viewing Iwasaki’s works. The student, who won’t confirm what the forms in his paintings are, said he welcomes all the input he can get about his art.
“I like positive and negative feedback,” said Iwasaki. “If I have negative feedback, then I can gain information and make something better.”
Although he has sold several of his works, he still considers himself a student, and instead of having the title ‘artist’ on his business cards, he chose to use ‘art enjoyer.’ Humble yet talkative, Iwasaki said he doesn’t want people to feel like they can’t take pleasure in art if they don’t consider themselves artists. He believes art isn’t meant for an elite group of people who have knowledge about it.
“I think art is important for everyone,” said Iwasaki. “A table is useful, but someone designed it. Maybe it’s not as important as clothes, [but] I enjoy feeling art [around me].”
According to Iwasaki, the aim of Positive Atmosphere is to create positive works; the show is “a counter-response to the use of negative themes and images in newspaper, broadcasting, works of art and the world around us.”
Iwasaki hopes his work will evoke cheerful emotions in viewers.
“If you’re depressed, something that should be happy for you won’t be as happy, and something that’s horrible could [feel] worse [than it is],” said Iwasaki, adding that he just wants people to feel positive.
Positive Atmosphere runs until Nov. 11 at the Gallery of Student Art, located at 105A University Centre. The gallery is open Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
