This raku ceramic kimono by Linda Hansen Mau is on exhibit at the Iwasawa Oriental Arts Gallery in Los Gatos.




Photograph courtesy of Iwasawa Oriental Arts







Japan and California meet in new exhibit

Form meets function in this showing

By Shari Kaplan

For her last exhibition after 18 years of business, Kumiko Iwasawa Vadas has created a show of distinctive themed art from local artists at her Iwasawa Oriental Arts Gallery, 75 University Ave. in Los Gatos.

Titled "Yo-No-Bi: Form and Function--A California Collage," the exhibit features ceramic and bronze sculptures by Linda Hansen Mau and ceramic vessels by Michiko Shimoda, both Saratogans; wood furniture by Seth Janofsky and sculptures by Paul Wilson, former Los Gatans living in Fort Bragg and Carmel, respectively; and ceramic sculpture by Mahoko Dahte of Cupertino.

"I wanted my last exhibition to be an exhibit of local artists. This is my way of paying tribute to the community," Vadas says. Although she will still maintain her gallery, which houses an impressive collection of Asian artifacts and artwork, she will not have any new exhibits.

For "Yo-No-Bi," Vadas took the theme of form and functionality common in her native Japan and gave it a California spin, since her artists are current Californians and so are many of her visitors. "Form and function is a traditional Japanese idea. Everything should have more than one use, and everything should have function as well as be attractive. Simplicity is very important; Japan is a very small country so you need to save space," she explains.


Photograph courtesy of Iwasawa Oriental Arts

This flower cabinet by Seth Janofsky is one of the featured items at the new exhibit at the Iwasawa Oriental Arts Gallery.




An example is Janofsky's meticulously crafted wooden cabinetry and furniture, which make strong statements as room centerpieces and can also be opened to provide storage space. "I am not a Japanese furniture maker, nor do I make 'Japanese' furniture. But people have remarked on a Japanese spirit in my work," Janofsky says.

Wilson transforms his wood into curves rather than angles. Among his creatively named sculptures on display are Encounter, Serenity and Ménage à Trois. Wilson also made the redwood sculpture that stands in front of the Los Gatos Library in honor of the late George and Ruth Barati.

Mau, a nationally recognized artist, writer and De Anza College instructor, exhibits her trademark raku ceramic kimonos as well as original bronze sculptures from her "Mathematics as Metaphor" collection, including the intriguing What Goes Around, Comes Around.

Shimoda, who was trained in Japan at the Sogetsu School of ikebana--the art of flower arranging--offers contemporary ceramic vessels in unusual shapes. Whether holding flowers or anything else for display, the vessels are formed so their shape and color can be appreciated from all angles. Dahte's contribution is colorful ceramic squares that bring abstracted scenes of the outdoors inside.

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"Yo-No-Bi: Form and Function--A California Collage" runs from Oct. 14 through Nov. 20. An artists' reception takes place on Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Tues.-Sat., 11-5 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, call 408.395.2339.

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