Leiko Ikemura, born in Japan in , came to Europe in the s as a year-old. She first lived in Spain and Switzerland until she relocated to Germany in She was already drawing attention to herself in Cologne in the s in the context of the Β»Neue WildeΒ«. Despite a certain affinity, her work stood out due to its individual character and its independence even at the time.
At the end of the s, sculpture appeared as well as painting. Her sculptural work quickly gained in significance and became an integral part of her oeuvre. Today, sculpture and painting stand side by side on an equal footing. They serve each other. Above all, Ikemura successfully unites two very different cultural spaces in her work. Her works show her to be a thoroughly European, Western artist. However, they are just as much determined by her Japanese influence and background.
Over the years Ikemura has developed a very special iconography in the interplay between influences and cultures, which she herself represents biographically. Leiko Ikemura. From East to East Leiko Ikemura is one of the most prominent living Japanese artists.
The Kunsthalle Rostock has invited Ikemura to relate her work to selected pieces from the collection of the Kunsthalle, thus celebrating a dialogue between East German art and art from the so called Far East. Text: Kunsthallle Rostock Kunsthalle Rostock Leiko Ikemu Was bleibt? MatthΓ€us The art collection of the St. MatthΓ€us Foundation has been growing steadily ever since the foundation was initiated.
It comprises way more than works of art. The foundation is presenting a selection of works on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. Work by the following artists amongst others is on view at the Bischofsetage: Jorind BILKER STR.
