京都生まれ。日本三景のひとつである天橋立で有名な宮津市にて育ち、故郷の景観の美しさから多大な影響を受ける。ボストン・アート・インスティテュート(1986-1988) 、ヴァージニアのアート・インスティテュート・オブ・アレクサンドリア (1992-2000).にて学ぶ。自身の作品が日本の自然の美しさから強く影響を受けていることに、ボストン在住中に気づく。京都の自然や、古い町並みの美しさから彼女が子供の頃に受け取った、静けさや平和が、作品の中に息づいている。

２０１０年、山田氏の作品がワシントンDCのナショナル・チェリー・ブロッサム・フェスティバルの公式ポスターとして使用される。2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival 
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

２０１１年には、今回CRSでも展示している “Vegetable Garden” がSalmagundi GalleryのCollage and Mix Media Exhibitionにて金賞を受賞する。

Art Background

1971-1982: Academic Art Education in Kyoto, Japan

1971-1977: Private lessons in Japanese Calligraphy

1986-1988: The Art Institute of Boston (Boston, MA)

1988-present: Work on Japanese rice paper collage, Harie

1992-2000: The Art League, Alexandria, VA

2001-present: the Art Students League of New York

Introduction to Japanese Rice Paper
Many people consider Japanese culture as a culture of wood and paper. We consider Western culture as a culture of stone and soil. The Japanese have been using paper since the Nara period (710-793). Unfortunately, Japanese paper can not be preserved as easily as stone or soil and is therefore more transient. We Japanese view papers as an important part of our culture, and find ways to integrate it into our daily lives by creating our unique small galaxy of beautiful things using paper. The Fusuma (sliding door), Byobu (screen), Andon (lamp), and Shoji (screen door) are examples of these. Japanese paper also contributes to the roots of other Japanese art such as: Sui-boku-ga (Japanese ink drawing); Sho (calligraphy), and wood cut print.

Affiliation

New York Artist Equity Association Member

OIA (Organization of Independent Artists) Member, NY, NY

The Art Students League of New York

Published

The Artist’s Magazine
December, 2003 A Finalist Winner in 20th Annual Art Competition

Manhattan Art International
March, 2003 Award of excellence from the healing power of art

The Artist’s Magazine
December, 2000 A Finalist Winner in 20th Annual Art Competition
(in the experimental category)

Manhattan Art International
July-August, 1999 issue.

Manhattan Art International
March-April, 1999 issue

Artist Statement

By applying modern subject matter and vibrant colors to a traditional Japanese art form, Junko Yamada creates truly unique works of art on rice paper. Her collages compose with thousands of pieces of fine paper in the tradition of “Harie”, a style of art that dates back several centuries in Japan.

Born in Kyoto, Japan, Junko grew up along the pacific coast outside of Kyoto where she was impressed and influenced by spectacular scenery. Her academic training includes the Art Institute of Boston in the late 1980’s and the Art League in Alexandria, Virginia throughout the 1990’s.

Now having come full circle, her Japanese origin is reflected in her American training just as the natural beauty of the Japanese seashore is reflected in her choice of color and style.  Junko Yamada hopes that, like the ocean and mountains of her youth, her work instills a sense of tranquility and inner peace, a visual escape from everyday life.