News
Demonstrating at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) & Scripps in San Diego
Through my dear friends at Catalina Offshore Products, I was invited to a dinner event at NOAA in San Diego, California to demonstrate traditional gyotaku printing in front of a large crowd of marine scientists, environmentalists, and very eco-savy seafood chefs and commercial fishermen.
I think a very good impression was made as many new doors within the scientific community opened up immediately afterwards. I anticipate that I’ll be commuting to San Diego a lot more often in the very near future!
Center of Attention at the Red Carpet Gala – Sushi Chef Institute!!
A much anticipated event where two artists; me and Master Sushi Chef Hiro Terada, were showcased in front of a large crowd of private guests.
I performed a demonstration of gyotaku printing while Chef Terada masterfully cut a striped bass into sashimi. Chef Hiro Terada posted a flattering comment regarding me:
“I was invited to Sushi Chef Institute red carpet last might and met so many important people in the industry, but one person who amazed me was @fishingforgyotaku and his live demonstration of how this mid 19th century art is done. His work needs to be recognized and once you see it, you’ll be amazed.”
Art Critic Review of Coastline Art Gallery Exhibition!
The art review of the Coastline Gallery Show by OC Weekly:
“The show’s tranquility is best represented by Dwight Hwang’s stunning Japanese-style paintings of koi, lionfish and octopus (Water Butterflies, Lion’s Garden and Flow of Water, respectively). The dried sumi ink has wrinkled the washi paper, indenting the page, suggesting buoyancy and movement around the subjects hovering within the frame.”
Read the full article here.
Front Cover on Patagonia’s Fly Fishing Book!!
Happy to announce that one of my trout prints has been chosen to be on the cover of Yvon Chouinard’s (founder of Patagonia) fly fishing book entitled, “Simple Fly Fishing”!
It’s now available for pre-sale on Amazon. Scheduled to ship in November 2018!
It’s ON and going STRONG!!
The RSVP filled quickly, and the evening of the reception and demonstration, the entire room was filled! I wasn’t expecting it to draw such a large and eager crowd.
I was to perform two demonstrations; the first one being a very basic demo while the second one to demonstrate how I use the fundamentals of the first demo to refine the process.
However, as soon as I finished the first demo, there was an unending flood of enthusiastic questions that we ended up running out of time to do the second demo.
The next morning, we found that the exhibit was showcased on the front page of the “14 Best Things to Do in LA this Week” list of the LA Weekly!!
In addition, due to the great reaction by those that have seen the exhibit, the show has been extended an extra week!
Two Weeks Till Summer Exhibition!
The big summer exhibition is just around the corner!
32 original prints showcased at the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles in collaboration with LACMA, June 21-July 13th with lectures and a demonstration on the evening of June 20th.
A formal catalogue of all the prints will be available, as well as a very informative essay written by LACMA’s Michael VanHartingsveldt about the history and techniques of Gyotaku and how I fit into all of it.
Merci Monaco!!
I had an absolute wonderful time exhibiting three choice prints at the Chateau Terrace with curator Wendy Lauwers. Juxtaposed among highly contemporary pieces from other artists from all around the world, my art was very enthusiastically received by patrons, some of whom kindly claimed that my gyotaku prints were their favorites of the show.
The three original prints did not sell, however I did sell quite a few high tier reproductions that more than made up for it. But best of all, I made new friends and experienced my first ever gallery exhibition! And not in my own country, but in chic South of France!
Japan Foundation/LACMA Full Summer Show Dates Set!!
The summer Gyotaku exhibition dates have been set for June 21-July 13!!
This is the show that LACMA had originally reached out to me about last year, and it’s finally happening!
It’ll be the full show where we’ll be taking over five large walls, performing demonstrations, displaying Japanese ceramics from LACMA’s private collection, as well as hosting lecturers from all sorts of fish related professionals.
Best of all, they’ll be open on Saturdays!
All happening at the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles.
Printing demonstration on the evening of the 20th!!
I’ll have prints, both original and reproductions, for sale during the demonstration and possibly during the guest lectures as well!
Monaco bound!
I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been invited to participate in a beautiful chateau, hosted by Wendy Lauwers’ Multi Art Events Exhibition, located in the South of France/Monaco on April 17-22, 2018!
I will be creating three unique prints specifically for this event!
17 years ago (2001), a short film I made had the privilege of being officially selected into the Cannes Film Festival, Court Metrage. Since then, I had always wanted to return to France with another film. Instead, I’ll be returning with a different art form that I am equally as passionate about.
Preview Show at JAPAN FOUNDATION, Feb 8-28!
The Japan Foundation has announced that they will be hosting a smaller “preview show” on the walls of their lobby, February 8-28th. The main exhibition, in collaboration with LACMA, will be showcased in their large conference room in early summer!
Click the link for details!
https://www.jflalc.org/ac-exhibit20