Artist Talk: Yuki Kihara in conversation with Gabriela Salgado
- 9 July 2024
- 6:00 - 7:00pm
- Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, Outer Circle (entrance facing Regent's Park), London NW1 4QP
- https://dajf.org.uk/event/artist-talk-yuki-kihara-in-conversation-with-gabriela-salgado
- +44 (0)20 7486 4348
- events@dajf.org.uk
- Tweet
‘‘Who am I, what am I, and what are you?’ are questions that will never haunt or torment Kihara. Rather, they provide her with the material for her artwork. The possible answers to these questions are always limited and draw boundaries that Kihara will continue to cross in the expression of her existence.’ – Jim Vivieaere
In this event moderated by Gabriela Salgado, Kihara will discuss her recent works including the ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta): A Song about Sāmoa 2019 – 2023’ series previously presented at the Pātaka Museum; Aichi Triennale; Gwangju Biennale and the National Museum of Scotland to name a few. Each kimono featured in the ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta)’ series is made from Sāmoan tapa or customary backcloth featuring hand-beaded details. The series is divided into five phases, with each phase consisting of five kimonos. Together, the total of 25 kimonos form a large, spectacular mural. The ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta)’ series aims to reframe the Vā or Sāmoan relational-space between Japan and the Moana Pacific and specifically Sāmoa, taking an indigenous interpretation of trans-Pacific identity, gender, and history, while referencing Kihara’s own interracial Sāmoan & Japanese heritage as a point of conceptual departure. The ‘A Song about Sāmoa’ series is currently on display at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile, Hong Kong (until 14th July).
About the contributors
Yuki Kihara
Yuki Kihara is an artist of Japanese and Sāmoan descent. Kihara’s work seeks to challenge dominant and singular historical narratives and their persistence in the socio-political environment through photography, video, sculpture, dance, and curatorial practice. Kihara lives and works in Sāmoa, where she has been based for the past 12 years. In 2008, the Metropolitan Museum of Art presented a solo exhibition of her work entitled ‘Living Photographs’ featuring highlights of Kihara’s interdisciplinary art practice, followed by an acquisition of her work by the museum for their permanent collection. Kihara’s work has been presented in numerous international Biennales including the critically acclaimed exhibition ‘Paradise Camp’ (2020/2022) presented at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion in the Arsenale as part of the 59th Venice Biennale. Kihara’s works are featured in over 30 permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the British Museum.
Gabriela Salgado (moderator)
Gabriela Salgado (moderator) is Director of The Showroom in London. Born in Argentina and based in the UK, over her 25-year career Salgado has worked with an emphasis on the artistic scenes of the global South, developing projects in Latin America, Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia. Salgado has served as Artistic Director of Te Tuhi Contemporary Art, Aotearoa New Zealand (2017-2020), Curator of Public Programmes at Tate Modern (2006-2011), and curator of the Latin American Art Collection at Essex University, UECLAA (1999-2005). As an independent curator and consultant, Salgado has directed Transatlantic Connections, an exchange programme for African and Latin American artists. Exhibition highlights include the Embedded South(s) artists’ film festival, Vietnam, 2016; A Serene Expectation of Light, Autograph ABP, London, 2016; Mogaje Guiju – Abel Rodríguez, Prince Claus Fund, NL, 2014; and La Voix de la Voix dans la Voix, a dance performance for the Dak’art Biennale, Senegal, 2014. She was a jury member for The Prince Claus Fund Awards, 2014-2016 and VideoBrasil, 2013. She was also curator of La Otra Bienal, Bogotá, Colombia, 2013, and the 2nd Biennale of Thessaloniki, Greece, 2009.
In this event moderated by Gabriela Salgado, Kihara will discuss her recent works including the ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta): A Song about Sāmoa 2019 – 2023’ series previously presented at the Pātaka Museum; Aichi Triennale; Gwangju Biennale and the National Museum of Scotland to name a few. Each kimono featured in the ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta)’ series is made from Sāmoan tapa or customary backcloth featuring hand-beaded details. The series is divided into five phases, with each phase consisting of five kimonos. Together, the total of 25 kimonos form a large, spectacular mural. The ‘サ–モアのうた (Sāmoa no uta)’ series aims to reframe the Vā or Sāmoan relational-space between Japan and the Moana Pacific and specifically Sāmoa, taking an indigenous interpretation of trans-Pacific identity, gender, and history, while referencing Kihara’s own interracial Sāmoan & Japanese heritage as a point of conceptual departure. The ‘A Song about Sāmoa’ series is currently on display at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile, Hong Kong (until 14th July).
About the contributors
Yuki Kihara
Yuki Kihara is an artist of Japanese and Sāmoan descent. Kihara’s work seeks to challenge dominant and singular historical narratives and their persistence in the socio-political environment through photography, video, sculpture, dance, and curatorial practice. Kihara lives and works in Sāmoa, where she has been based for the past 12 years. In 2008, the Metropolitan Museum of Art presented a solo exhibition of her work entitled ‘Living Photographs’ featuring highlights of Kihara’s interdisciplinary art practice, followed by an acquisition of her work by the museum for their permanent collection. Kihara’s work has been presented in numerous international Biennales including the critically acclaimed exhibition ‘Paradise Camp’ (2020/2022) presented at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion in the Arsenale as part of the 59th Venice Biennale. Kihara’s works are featured in over 30 permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the British Museum.
Gabriela Salgado (moderator)
Gabriela Salgado (moderator) is Director of The Showroom in London. Born in Argentina and based in the UK, over her 25-year career Salgado has worked with an emphasis on the artistic scenes of the global South, developing projects in Latin America, Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia. Salgado has served as Artistic Director of Te Tuhi Contemporary Art, Aotearoa New Zealand (2017-2020), Curator of Public Programmes at Tate Modern (2006-2011), and curator of the Latin American Art Collection at Essex University, UECLAA (1999-2005). As an independent curator and consultant, Salgado has directed Transatlantic Connections, an exchange programme for African and Latin American artists. Exhibition highlights include the Embedded South(s) artists’ film festival, Vietnam, 2016; A Serene Expectation of Light, Autograph ABP, London, 2016; Mogaje Guiju – Abel Rodríguez, Prince Claus Fund, NL, 2014; and La Voix de la Voix dans la Voix, a dance performance for the Dak’art Biennale, Senegal, 2014. She was a jury member for The Prince Claus Fund Awards, 2014-2016 and VideoBrasil, 2013. She was also curator of La Otra Bienal, Bogotá, Colombia, 2013, and the 2nd Biennale of Thessaloniki, Greece, 2009.
