PART 2:
Making the Artist
JAY KOKA:
biography
(This brief
biography is based on the autobiography presented in the original K20
multimedia disk.) |
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A well known and internationally respected
artist, Jay Koka's work is ever-changing in color, texture and composition
reflective of a man who is constantly searching and continuously evolving his
work. Skillful manipulation of color and mood plus considered composition and
an occasionally impressionist style are the hallmarks of the artist who is
never satisfied with the status quo and always brings a true element of
surprise to the viewer at each new exhibition.
Initially known for a
highly realistic style and a technical approach to his automotive-themed art,
Koka garnered a large and loyal audience for this exquisitely rendered work
over the first decade of his career. In the mid 90's however, Koka embarked on
a dramatic and some said even 'shocking' change in art style. The relatively
small and tightly rendered gouache works were replaced by very large format
canvases with a notable disregard for detail and an emphasis on explorations in
texture, form and color. Always creatively restless and endlessly experimenting
in the style of his work, Koka continues to alternate between these two style
extremes …. realism and impressionism exist side by side in Koka's body of
work. Koka's original works are collected by private and public audiences
worldwide. In a career filled with accomplishment, Koka is particularly proud
of his selection by the CHRYSLER Corporation for the creation of
"Metamorphosis", a major 80 square foot, 4-panel work for the corporation's
World Headquarters in 1996.
His Studio, which in 2005 marks its
twentieth anniversary, has published a large and popular body of overt 100
limited print editions which have been distributed throughout the world. (His
original paintings as well as an online catalog of his prints and posters are
featured in two extensive websites located at www.jaykokastudio.com) . He is
particularly well known for his large and widely disseminated body of work on
Ferrari, in fact, his art has been used as a Christmas card by the Ferrari Club
of Italy and in 1998, his work was selected for exhibition at the "CENTARIO
FERRARI", the centenary celebrations held in Modena, Italy by Ferrari. In 2002,
Koka was commissioned by PIRELLI North America to prepare a series of original
paintings that were presented to the winners in the Ferrari Challenge Series.
Each painting depicted the race winner and was presented as the “Ferrari
Challenge Trofeo Pirelli”. Most recently, Koka was commissioned by Nissan
to produce artwork for the 35th anniversary of the "Z".
Koka has been
featured artist and poster artist for many international automotive events
including the famed Meadow Brook Concours, Bloomington Gold, Concours of the
Eastern United States, Reading Ferrari Concours, Eyes on Design, Concoroso at
Meadow Brook, six times for the Ferrari Club of America Annual Meets and for
the six years, the Cavallino Ferrari Classic of Palm Beach. A member of the
Automotive Fine Arts Society, his work has been extensively reproduced and he
has also received numerous awards including multiple Athena's at Pebble Beach,
the Lincoln Award at Pebble Beach, multiple Awards of Excellence (most recently
the fifth) and The Stanley Wanlass Awards twice at Meadow Brook, Best of Show
at Philadelphia and numerous others for his work at major exhibitions.
For 2006, Koka was selected to produce the poster art for the
prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Koka is a longtime member and
Director of the Automotive Fine Arts Society.
Born in Budapest, Hungary
, Koka emigrated to Canada in 1956 where he was educated and enjoyed a
successful corporate career in marketing prior to the formation of his Studio
in 1985. He is a computer “geek” and an internet "pioneer" being one
of the first artists to fully embrace the concept of a virtual gallery. Koka is
also an avid superbike rider and a lifelong automotive enthusiast. He has two
sons, Michael, a graduate in art and design and James, a software engineer who
is also his partner in Webvues, a web development company. Koka makes his home
and Studio in Waterloo with his wife Catherine. Jay Koka accepts a small number
of private and corporate commissions for original art each year.
The
Studio marked its tenth anniversary in 1995 with the publication of a hardcover
book titled Jay Koka Studio TEN, a definitive look at the artist's life and his
work. The Studio marked its Twentieth Anniversary in 2005 with the release of
an electronic multimedia eBook on CDROM titled "Ka-too-o" (K20). A companion
website was also been created at www.k20.ca |
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studio Jay Koka Studio | Online Print
Catalog 
