K20, Retrospective Introduction

visit the studio Jay Koka Studio | Online Print Catalog

k20.ca Introduction | Making the Artist | 20 Year Retrospective Gallery | Print Library | Jay Koka Studio TEN

PART 3: The Retrospective Gallery
Jay Koka Studio was launched in 1985. This section presents a selection of original images representing twenty plus years of work. Many of these images are published but some are in private collections, rarely if ever publicly exhibited.

1971-1989 (click to view)	1990-1994 (click to view)	1995-1999 (click to view)	2000-2004 (click to view)	k40 (click to view)
This section features very early images. Very few pre 1985 images are preserved. This section also features the first group of published prints from the Studio's founding in 1985. The first color print is "Headlights" (taken from the Studio's corporate name) "Mondial Study 1" exemplifies the ultra realistic art style that is almost completely abandoned after 1989. All of the work from this time period is gouache, watercolor or ink on board.	The very first acrylic paintings appear in 1991, first on masonite then on canvas. Images become very large, up to 60" wide. "Wooden Rocket" is a landmark painting, the first major acrylic work. More early prints published by the Studio. "Louis' Garage", one of the last large gouache on board works, is a very successful example. The first in a successful series of motorcycle paintings, the award-winning "Indian Study 1" was completed during this period. It is one of the earliest acrylic works.	This is a period of flip flop between small, tightly rendered gouache on board images like "GTO at Ludovisi" and very large, sometimes quite loose and impressionist acrylics on canvas like "A Day..." and "Metamorphosis", the huge 4-panel work for the Chrysler Corporation headquarters. The late 90's was a strange and artistically restless time that proved to be the foundation for the two very distinct painting styles that followed.	Although a few gouache works are completed in 2000, most notably the award-winning "The Drift" almost all other work is executed in acrylic on both masonite and canvas. Some, like "Young Girls in the Canyon" are quite realist yet with significant impressionist qualities. Others, like "Ochre" and "Yellow" both from the 2002 Color Series, are almost entirely impressionist in style. Although the subject of styles is for critics to decide, the fact is that... two very distinct artistic approaches exist side-by-side as the latest work from 2005 clearly demonstrates.	The second 20 years. This gallery features work from 2005 and on...