Celebrate the final day of COLA 2023 with exhibition artist Wakana Kimura and a walkthrough of her latest work. The walkthrough will be followed by a brief Q&A moderated by DCA LAMAG Curator, Nancy Meyer.

Wakana Kimura (b. 1978, Izu Shizuoka, Japan; lives and works in Los Angeles and Japan)

Wakana Kimura received her MFA from Otis College of Art and Design in 2011 and her BFA in oil painting from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2002. Her work is focused on identity, individuality and the unification of both Eastern and Western cultural traditions and visual motifs. Drawing from traditional Zen Buddhist brush paintings and the Abstract Expressionist movement, she illustrates “multicultural experiences” in a compelling, visual format.

Recent solo exhibitions have been held at LA ArtCore, Los Angeles, CA (2022, 2020, 2017, 2015); Mon Musee Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan (2021); Mori Museum, Tokyo, Japan (2021); Udatsu Paper and Craft Museum, Echizen Fukui, Japan (2020); Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, Kahului, HI (2019); Angels Gate Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA (2019); Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2012); and Gallery NEXUS, Kanagawa, Japan (2007, 2006). Selected group exhibitions have been held at Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA (2023); Self-Help Graphics, Los Angeles, CA (2019); Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale, CA (2017); Pomona College Museum of Art, Pomona, CA (2015); and the Bolsky Gallery at Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA (2011, 2010). In 2023, Kimura was commissioned by Zenshuji Soto Mission in Los Angeles to create a large-scale painting for their 100th anniversary. She has also been awarded commissions by the City of Los Angeles to create a 2700 square foot mural for the Robertson Recreation Center, and by the Los Angeles Metro to contribute to their poster series “Through the Eyes of Artists”.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.
Reasonable accommodations or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend. Due to the difficulties in securing Sign Language Interpreters, five (5) or more business days notice is strongly recommended. For additional information, please contact the Gallery at lamag@lacity.org or register here (https://forms.gle/jfWYm4K51CDoCyve6).