Houston-based artist Wendy Wagner takes her beloved, whimsical paintings and Qwerkys(tm) to Japan. Gallery Trinity, located at 9-6-19-1F Akasaka in the Roppongi district of central Tokyo, will display the latest collection of Wagner’s paintings as well as her soft sculpture line, the Qwerkys(tm). The exhibit opened Tuesday, June 2nd and will remain on view until Saturday, June 20th, Wagner will be the first artist outside of Japan to be represented by the gallery since their October 2008 opening.
This latest collection includes charming and beautifully done “little bittys” as well as larger scale paintings which impeccably encompass Wagner’s subconscious delivery of lightheartedness illustrated through her imagery of “Ice Capades” and the circus. Digging deeply into her childhood memories and first impressions, Wagner uses layer upon layer of tinted gesso, acrylic paint, and oil paint to visually narrate new adventures of her fanciful anthropomorphic characters amongst visions of fantastic shapes and dream-like images. The collection includes her signature Qwerkys(tm) personalities with playful circus elephants, tigers and disco balls.
Wagner’s soft sculpture versions of the Qwerkys™ will also be on hand at Gallery Trinity. Varying her expression by constantly trying new techniques and mediums is very important to Wagner. “My work continually explores and expands through a variety of artistic mediums,” she states. “Each application, whether it’s animation, ceramics, painting, or soft sculpture, brings a new level of life to my creations. Children and adults respond to my work with delight and curiosity that stimulates inspiration and smiles.”
Gallery Trinity Director, Mitsuhiro Murata, stated: “When I first encountered Wendy’s work, I felt that it had the power to change the atmosphere into something that is heartwarming and lively. The works are charming and cheerful, but at the same time sophisticated and modern. I was impressed by how Wendy carefully overlays paint layer upon layer and how the colors seem to give off luminosity. I am excited about her works being a part of our Gallery and am sure that she will obtain many new fans in Japan. We are happy and honored to have Wendy’s exhibition in Toyko.”
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Wagner moved to Houston to attend the Art Institute of Houston in 1990. Graduating in 1992 with Honors, Wendy immediately started a career as a graphic designer that spanned 10 years. During this period she became strongly aware of her desire to return to painting and drawing which she had always done as a child. She exhibited an early talent for art that was recognized throughout her childhood. Her work now as an adult has captured and still possesses her charming childlike perspective.
In 2000, Wagner focused solely on working in painting. In 2004, she then began recreating her 2D imagery into 3D ceramic sculpture. The next natural progression was animation and most recently soft sculpture versions of the characters she calls Qwerkys(tm). Self taught on ceramics, animation as well as designing the patterns and hand crafting her soft sculptures, she is always looking for new ways to express herself. Curiosity and storytelling are the motivations of her paintings and work. Wendy loves to embellish auto-biographical stories that leave to viewer to incorporate their own.
Wagner’s work has been on exhibit internationally and in Houston for over twelve years. Last May, she achieved one of the highest forms of recognition in the art world when she was announced as the 2008 Hunting Art Prize winner for her painting, I Hope I’m Dreaming. She has taught high school students through the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and works with local schools by conducting cartoon character building classes. For more information Wendy Wagner or her recent launch of Qwerkys(tm), please see www.wendywagner.com or www.qwerkys.com.
About Gallery Trinity, Tokyo, Japan:
Gallery Trinity is the retail arm of art material manufacturer/distributor, Bonny ColArt Co., Limited. The October 2008 opening of Gallery Trinity was a natural progression for establishing a direct connection between the contemporary arts and the Japanese public. After supplying the materials to produce the artwork for years, they are now proud to shorten the distance between the artist and the collector by bringing up-coming as well as internationally acclaimed artists to the Roppongi area of Tokyo. Through educational art lectures and artist talks with the patrons, the primary goal to make purchasing and collecting art a comfortable, personal experience has enabled more admirers to enrich their lives by owning pieces that speak to them. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 12 to 8 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. The Gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For further information, please visit www.g-trinity.com/en_index.html for an English translation or www.g-trinity.com for the Japanese website.
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