Chelsea District Sees New Gallery of Japanese and Asian Contemporary Art
Yuta Okuda, 2024. Courtesy the artist and GOCA
New York’s Chelsea district is set to bloom in the new year with the opening of the Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) by Garde - set to be the first in the city to exclusively focus on Japanese and Asian contemporary art. Opening January 30, its inaugural show features the new series of flower paintings by Japanese artist Yuta Okuda titled KAN-SHA BOUQUET! The show’s curator Kenta Ichinose describes Okuda’s work as “a tribute to the city,” adding, “Okuda’s flower paintings embody life’s transience and resilience, influenced by the teachings of Zen and the essence of Japanese culture. They serve as a universal message of gratitude to the miracle of living in the present.”
Meshing bright colors with intrepid brush strokes, and intricate pen markings to create striking floral compositions, Okuda’s renowned “flower” series, takes inspiration from his upbringing–his grandfather was a gardener–Okuda's work encapsulates the fragility and beauty of existence. The gallery’s Creative Direction Akinori “Aki” Okada states, “Yuta Okuda perfectly embodies our vision of fostering cross-cultural exchange while supporting young artists’ careers.”
Occupying a 2,400-square-foot space, GOCA aims to spotlight emerging and established talents from Japan to Asia in mediums such as painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Beyond exhibitions, it seeks to serve as a hub for intercultural dialogue. “Our goal is to stimulate cross-continental conversations and introduce global audiences to Asia’s most exciting contemporary artists, “ says Akinori.
Future programming will feature names like Aya Kawato and Ibuki Minami, establishing GOCA as a nexus for discovering new Japanese talents in New York. GARDE’s expansion into New York through GOCA represents its commitment to enriching cultural landscapes worldwide.
