Exhibits

"Spiritual Inspiration: Father and Son, Hisashi and Steve Ohta

The June to August rotation features father and son artists, Hisashi Ohta (1901 - 1982) and his son, Steve Ohta. Ohta Sr. began his studies at the age of eight under a sumi-e (ink painting) master of the Korin School. He studied many forms of art and became an accomplished artist in ink painting (sumi-e) and oil painting as well as calligraphy. His notable associations include two renowned artists of the 20th century, Umehara Ryuzaburo (1888-1986) who studied under Pierre-Auguste Renoir in France, and Yasui Sotaro (1888-1955) who also studied in France during the time when Japan lifted the isolationism policy and started aggressively recruiting Western influences to the country. Asai Chu (1856-1907), Umehara and Yasui’s teacher, was one of the first artists to learn Western painting styles from the Italian artist, Antonio Fontanesi (1818-1882), who was invited by the Japanese government.

Hisashi Ohta's association with Umehara and Yasui is 'very significant because the historical art movements during the Meiji (1868-1912) and Taisho periods (1912-1926) are visible in his art. Ohta Sr. won two governmental prizes at the National Art Exhibits in Tokyo and over the years, he lectured at many institutions including the Honolulu Art Academy, UCLA Dickson Art Center, Brand Art Center, and Marymount College. In 1978, he was honored with the 5th Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese government on Culture Day for his efforts in promoting the Japanese culture. Hisashi Ohta was also an avid collector of antique ceramics.

Steve Ohta who was raised in an artistic environment naturally grew an interest in art, and more specifically, in ceramic art. Following his graduation from the engineering department at UCLA, he worked for many years in the aerospace and defense industries. When he was assigned to a project in Japan for ten years, he had the opportunity to visit galleries and kiln sites and decided upon his return to the United States to return to his passion. He studied Bizen pottery under potter Taisuke Satoh in Inbe, Okayama prefecture and also Oribe pottery with potter Kiheiji Takiguchi in Tajimi, Gifu prefecture, the birthplace of Oribe and Shino wares. He is a member of the California Japanese Ceramics Art Guild and is now an accomplished ceramist who has exhibited locally as well as internationally.

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This project is funded by the City of San Diego Commission of Arts and Culture