PAINTINGS (ON CANVAS)
This page features Yamada's paintings on canvas (stretched on wooden bars) only. (For other format of paintings, please visit their dedicated pages.) Yamada's paintings can be divided into two groups: one is a type of "Post Super Realism" Paintings (aka "Post Photo Realism" paintings), which he calls "Visual Anthropology", inspired by his own documentary photographs and onsite field research. Another is a unique phantasy paintings based on his imaginations and spiritual visions inspired by the Alchemy and cross cultural mythologies.
This page features Yamada's paintings on canvas (stretched on wooden bars) only. (For other format of paintings, please visit their dedicated pages.) Yamada's paintings can be divided into two groups: one is a type of "Post Super Realism" Paintings (aka "Post Photo Realism" paintings), which he calls "Visual Anthropology", inspired by his own documentary photographs and onsite field research. Another is a unique phantasy paintings based on his imaginations and spiritual visions inspired by the Alchemy and cross cultural mythologies.
CONTENTS
Museum of World Wonders (1983-Present)
Alchemy: Predictions (2000-2002)
Visual Anthropology (1983-2000)
Alchemy I, II, III, IIII (1976 - Present)
Museum of World Wonders (1983-Present)
Alchemy: Predictions (2000-2002)
Visual Anthropology (1983-2000)
Alchemy I, II, III, IIII (1976 - Present)
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Museum of World Wonders (1983-2002-Present)
The majority of paintings created by Yamada, when he lived in Coney island, Brooklyn, NY are considered "non-traditional to the European painting styles". Some of them were displayed not only fine art galleries and museums but also at the sideshows/freak shows at the midways of fair grounds in the United States and Mexico for decades. Therefore, these paintings are featured in different pages. Click these links to go to those specific pages.
MINIATURE PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present, Japan: 1960s-1983)
ROGUE TAXIDERMY PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present: Japan: 1960s-1983)
SIDESHOW PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present, Japan 1960s-1983)
AMUSEMENT PARKS & THEATER PAINTINGS (USA: 1984 & 1985, Japan: 1978-1983)
WAMPUM PAINTINGS (2006, 2007)
Museum of World Wonders (1983-2002-Present)
The majority of paintings created by Yamada, when he lived in Coney island, Brooklyn, NY are considered "non-traditional to the European painting styles". Some of them were displayed not only fine art galleries and museums but also at the sideshows/freak shows at the midways of fair grounds in the United States and Mexico for decades. Therefore, these paintings are featured in different pages. Click these links to go to those specific pages.
MINIATURE PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present, Japan: 1960s-1983)
ROGUE TAXIDERMY PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present: Japan: 1960s-1983)
SIDESHOW PAINTINGS (USA: 1983-Present, Japan 1960s-1983)
AMUSEMENT PARKS & THEATER PAINTINGS (USA: 1984 & 1985, Japan: 1978-1983)
WAMPUM PAINTINGS (2006, 2007)
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Alchemy IIII: Predictions (2000-Present)
Takeshi Yamada moved to Brooklyn, New York from Chicago, Illinois in the summer of 2000. He started seeing vivid dreams and visions about future events again. He started painting them in 2000. Yamada predicted September 11, 2001 terrorists' attack on the World Trade Center's twin tower in New York City, the US President's declaration of the War against terrorists, his encounter to the two headed baby & freakshows/sideshows, his move to Coney Island, etc. These artworks are displayed at American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Borough Hall, Salt Marsh Nature Center, Arsenal Gallery (NY Park & Recreation Department), Clintonhill Art Gallery, PIER Gallery, Coney Island Hospital Art Space, Sideshow by the Seashore (sideshow company), etc. in New York. (Click for the bigger picture and descriptions below.)
Exhibitions & Media Coverage of Yamada's Alchemy: Predictions paintings
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Visual Anthropology (1983-2000)
Takeshi Yamada masterfully renders our city life with almost photograph-like details in his hand-painted oil and acrylic paintings on canvas. Yamada captured the wondering spirits and ghosts in major cities such as Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WIS; New York, NY; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, LA, and Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Yamada's series of paintings of New Orleans Mardi Gras granted him solo exhibitions at Louisiana State Museum and Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and a major group exhibition at the Meguroku Museum of Art (Tokyo, Japan). It should be noted here that Yamada also created a large numbers of etching, aquatint, mezzotint, and silkscreen prints during the time.
LINK: Takeshi Yamada's Paintings
Visual Anthropology (1983-2000)
Takeshi Yamada masterfully renders our city life with almost photograph-like details in his hand-painted oil and acrylic paintings on canvas. Yamada captured the wondering spirits and ghosts in major cities such as Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WIS; New York, NY; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, LA, and Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Yamada's series of paintings of New Orleans Mardi Gras granted him solo exhibitions at Louisiana State Museum and Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and a major group exhibition at the Meguroku Museum of Art (Tokyo, Japan). It should be noted here that Yamada also created a large numbers of etching, aquatint, mezzotint, and silkscreen prints during the time.
LINK: Takeshi Yamada's Paintings
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Iron Phoenix: Chicago Architecture.
Grand Illusions: Chicago: 1893 –1994.
Chicago Chronicle: From the Great Fire to the Great Flood.
These are series of over 100 artworks (paintings on canvas and miniature paintings), which Yamada created when he lived in Chicago during 1985 and 2000. These were exhibited at his many solo and group shows nationally. His artworks and colorful personality were regularly featured in numbers of magazines, newspapers, and TV news/shows there.
Iron Phoenix: Chicago Architecture.
Grand Illusions: Chicago: 1893 –1994.
Chicago Chronicle: From the Great Fire to the Great Flood.
These are series of over 100 artworks (paintings on canvas and miniature paintings), which Yamada created when he lived in Chicago during 1985 and 2000. These were exhibited at his many solo and group shows nationally. His artworks and colorful personality were regularly featured in numbers of magazines, newspapers, and TV news/shows there.
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Chicago: Citizen Kings (1987-1988)
This is the first series of 10 paintings, which Yamada created immediately after he moved to Chicago from Ann Arbor after obtaining this MFA degree from the University of Michigan School of Art. Chicago is the Sister City of his hometown Osaka, Japan. He called these "Post Super Realism", and he became one of the most media-covered and recognized artists, represented by a major gallery with over 25 years of experience in Chicago. He had a solo and group art exhibitions regularly in Chicago.
Chicago: Citizen Kings (1987-1988)
This is the first series of 10 paintings, which Yamada created immediately after he moved to Chicago from Ann Arbor after obtaining this MFA degree from the University of Michigan School of Art. Chicago is the Sister City of his hometown Osaka, Japan. He called these "Post Super Realism", and he became one of the most media-covered and recognized artists, represented by a major gallery with over 25 years of experience in Chicago. He had a solo and group art exhibitions regularly in Chicago.
Exhibitions & Media Coverage, Book Publications of Yamada's Chicago Paintings
REFERENCE:
ARTICLE: Chicago Tribune newspaper: Frozen Moments:
ARTICLE: Chicago Tribune newspaper: Frozen Moments:
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Milwaukee: Phantom City (17 paintings)
When he lived in Chicago, IL, Yamada visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin for taking photographs for producing paintings. In total he created about 25 paintings. These artworks were shown at his solo and group art exhibitions at the Peltz Gallery and Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yamada also inserted playful fantasy elements for some of these artworks unlike his previous city painting series.
Milwaukee: Phantom City (17 paintings)
When he lived in Chicago, IL, Yamada visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin for taking photographs for producing paintings. In total he created about 25 paintings. These artworks were shown at his solo and group art exhibitions at the Peltz Gallery and Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Yamada also inserted playful fantasy elements for some of these artworks unlike his previous city painting series.
Exhibitions & Media Coverage of Yamada's Milwaukee Paintings
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Night Scenes (1990-1991)
When he lived in Chicago, IL, Yamada visited and stayed in Amsterdam for over two weeks for his onsite research and photographing the scenes. These 10 Amsterdam street scene paintings were exhibited at his solo (1992) and group art exhibition at the Gallery Charlott Daneel in Amsterdam (1990-1995), and a major art fair in Barcelona, Spain (1991).
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Night Scenes (1990-1991)
When he lived in Chicago, IL, Yamada visited and stayed in Amsterdam for over two weeks for his onsite research and photographing the scenes. These 10 Amsterdam street scene paintings were exhibited at his solo (1992) and group art exhibition at the Gallery Charlott Daneel in Amsterdam (1990-1995), and a major art fair in Barcelona, Spain (1991).
Exhibitions & Media Coverage, Book Publications of Yamada's Amsterdam Paintings
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New York City: Heaven and Hell (1985-1987)
When he lived in Baltimore, Maryland, Yamada visited Manhattan, NY (mainly Times Square and 42nd Street area) for photographing scenes there for creating these large 10 oil paintings during 1985 and 1987. He also created intricate ten 16x24 inch capper plate etching (combined with aquatint, drypoint, mezzotint techniques) prints at the printmaking studio at the University of Michigan, School of Art in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Later, he also created smaller size (24x32 inch) acrylic paintings of "Hats" and "Movie Theaters".
New York City: Heaven and Hell (1985-1987)
When he lived in Baltimore, Maryland, Yamada visited Manhattan, NY (mainly Times Square and 42nd Street area) for photographing scenes there for creating these large 10 oil paintings during 1985 and 1987. He also created intricate ten 16x24 inch capper plate etching (combined with aquatint, drypoint, mezzotint techniques) prints at the printmaking studio at the University of Michigan, School of Art in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Later, he also created smaller size (24x32 inch) acrylic paintings of "Hats" and "Movie Theaters".
Exhibitions & Media Coverage, Book Publications of Yamada's New York City Paintings
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New Orleans Mardi Gras: Divine Comedy (1983-1990: 48 paintings - Parades, Mardi Gras Indians, Artists, Meeting of the Courts)
Yamada states New Orleans Mardi Gras is the most spectacular "divine" festival in the United States. He lived half of the year for several years in New Orleans for his specific historical researches, interviewing vital people, photographying subjects for creating these history-making 48 Mardi Gras paintings. He was granted solo art exhibitions at Lousiana State Museum in New Orleans, LA (1990), and Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, MS (1993). His selected Mardi Gras paintings were also shown at the prestige Meguroku Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan (1990). Other institutions exhibited Yamada's Mardi Gras paintings included the Posselt-Baker Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana (1990); Bryant Galleries in New Orleans, Louisiana & Jackson Mississippi (1990-1995); Yamada Art Center in Chicago, Illinois (1990 - 2000); Holiday Inn Express in Elmhurst, Illinois (1998); Larson Art Gallery of the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota (2000); Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts (2000): Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon (1998); Pier Gallery in Brooklyn, New York (2004 &2006), Coney Island Hospital Art Gallery in Brooklyn, NY (2012), etc.
New Orleans Mardi Gras: Divine Comedy (1983-1990: 48 paintings - Parades, Mardi Gras Indians, Artists, Meeting of the Courts)
Yamada states New Orleans Mardi Gras is the most spectacular "divine" festival in the United States. He lived half of the year for several years in New Orleans for his specific historical researches, interviewing vital people, photographying subjects for creating these history-making 48 Mardi Gras paintings. He was granted solo art exhibitions at Lousiana State Museum in New Orleans, LA (1990), and Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel, MS (1993). His selected Mardi Gras paintings were also shown at the prestige Meguroku Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan (1990). Other institutions exhibited Yamada's Mardi Gras paintings included the Posselt-Baker Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana (1990); Bryant Galleries in New Orleans, Louisiana & Jackson Mississippi (1990-1995); Yamada Art Center in Chicago, Illinois (1990 - 2000); Holiday Inn Express in Elmhurst, Illinois (1998); Larson Art Gallery of the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota (2000); Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts (2000): Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon (1998); Pier Gallery in Brooklyn, New York (2004 &2006), Coney Island Hospital Art Gallery in Brooklyn, NY (2012), etc.
Exhibitions & Media Coverage of Yamada's Mardi Gras Paintings
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New Orleans: French Quarter Night Scenes (11 paintings)
Yamada states New Orleans is the most European city-like city in the United States for Yamada. This series of oil paintings on canvas reflect his unique view of the city, full of angels, ghosts, spirits, phantoms, apparitions, devils and gods. In the later years, smaller paintings (24x32 inch) were also created by him.
New Orleans: French Quarter Night Scenes (11 paintings)
Yamada states New Orleans is the most European city-like city in the United States for Yamada. This series of oil paintings on canvas reflect his unique view of the city, full of angels, ghosts, spirits, phantoms, apparitions, devils and gods. In the later years, smaller paintings (24x32 inch) were also created by him.
Exhibitions & Media Coverage of Yamada's New Orleans Street Scene Paintings
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Alchemy (1976 - Present)
Alchemy III (1985-Present, USA)
For the purpose of this page, most of the paintings belong to this group are now featured in the pages of the ROGUE TAXIDERMY ARTWORKS, SIDESHOW ARTWORKS, AMUSEMENT PARKS & THEATERS, WAMPUM JEWELRY & ARTWORKS, and MINIATURES.
Alchemy II (1983-1985, USA)
Yamada's early oil paintings on canvas in the United States reflect his passion in fusing old subject matters in Japan and new environment in the United States. The old interior design of his old apartment (near his undergraduate school, Maryland Institute College of Art) and the view from the window deeply inspired him. Reinvestigation of the Buddhism teaching and how it has been accepted by people in the United States also inspired him to create Asian theme paintings such as Mandara and Phoenix.
Alchemy (1976 - Present)
Alchemy III (1985-Present, USA)
For the purpose of this page, most of the paintings belong to this group are now featured in the pages of the ROGUE TAXIDERMY ARTWORKS, SIDESHOW ARTWORKS, AMUSEMENT PARKS & THEATERS, WAMPUM JEWELRY & ARTWORKS, and MINIATURES.
Alchemy II (1983-1985, USA)
Yamada's early oil paintings on canvas in the United States reflect his passion in fusing old subject matters in Japan and new environment in the United States. The old interior design of his old apartment (near his undergraduate school, Maryland Institute College of Art) and the view from the window deeply inspired him. Reinvestigation of the Buddhism teaching and how it has been accepted by people in the United States also inspired him to create Asian theme paintings such as Mandara and Phoenix.
Alchemy I (1976 -1983, Japan)
Yamada independently started creating his unique oil paintings in his bedroom at his home in Osaka in japan at the age 16. His first painting was entitled "SELF PORTRAIT; CEREMONEY OF THE SEA; ONE IS ALL AND ALL IS ONE". Yamada's early oil paintings on canvas reflect his investigations and passion for Renaissance artists' craftsmanship, classic art, alchemy, DNA, genetic engineering, nuclear weapons, oddities, ghosts, hermaphrodite, divinity of human soul, and mysticism of Eastern & Western religions.
NOTE: At age 11, Yamada received a private oil painting lesson by a local college's art professor, who was known for his highly textured brownish gray-colored impressionism style oil paintings of city scenes and still life themes. He learned little, so, he quit it and started studying Renaissance painting techniques all by himself, being inspired by Salvador Dali's art. Regarding art education, he took classes at number of art schools in Japan, such as Atorie Libera Art School, Nakanoshima Art College, and Osaka Art University, etc. but he states he learned nothing new there, from those "unskilled, unaccomplished, unmotivated, and simply lazy art class instructors".
Yamada independently started creating his unique oil paintings in his bedroom at his home in Osaka in japan at the age 16. His first painting was entitled "SELF PORTRAIT; CEREMONEY OF THE SEA; ONE IS ALL AND ALL IS ONE". Yamada's early oil paintings on canvas reflect his investigations and passion for Renaissance artists' craftsmanship, classic art, alchemy, DNA, genetic engineering, nuclear weapons, oddities, ghosts, hermaphrodite, divinity of human soul, and mysticism of Eastern & Western religions.
NOTE: At age 11, Yamada received a private oil painting lesson by a local college's art professor, who was known for his highly textured brownish gray-colored impressionism style oil paintings of city scenes and still life themes. He learned little, so, he quit it and started studying Renaissance painting techniques all by himself, being inspired by Salvador Dali's art. Regarding art education, he took classes at number of art schools in Japan, such as Atorie Libera Art School, Nakanoshima Art College, and Osaka Art University, etc. but he states he learned nothing new there, from those "unskilled, unaccomplished, unmotivated, and simply lazy art class instructors".
This is the official fine art website of the Japanese-American artist, rogue taxidermist, educator, and author, Takeshi Yamada (山田 武司). Images contained on this website may not be used or reproduced in any manner without the explicit permission of the artist. For information on obtaining the rights to use images on this site, contact Takeshi Yamada at takeshiyamadaart@gmail.com with “image licensing” as the subject line.
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