Koga Yoshihiro
Born in 1986, Fukuoka, Japan. Lives and works in Kurume.
2009 B.F.A. in sculpture, Tama Art University
2019 “ Beyond the Monolith” Artpro GALA, Fukuoka
2017 “ARS/NATURA” Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art, Fukuoka
2016 “Ko-un Ryusui Noe Aoki＋Yoshihiro Koga” Operation Table, Fukuoka
2016 Residency Program at Hongti Art Center, Busan, Korea
［Residence Program］ Oct 14, 2023〜Dec 20, 2023
Koga Yoshihiro Official website
Profile
Koga who studied sculpture in university, focuses on the relationships between the self and the materials. Using cement or paraffin, Koga has been creating works figuring out the forms which appeared through the repetitions of simple actions. In another type of work, Koga refers to cement in relation to the local history and environment where the artist grew up.
Based on the stories of Koga’s grandparents, who established a cement products factory, the artist plans to create a new work in Fukuoka. Focusing on the theme of biography and local histories, Koga contemplates bizarre parts of one’s life revealed by the intersection of public and personal histories while addressing how we should pass on these stories.
The artist also plans to organize a workshop during the residency where participants are requested to introduce someone’s dream which they saw at night so that each can experience a series of events - in Koga’s words, events for “storytelling, listening, and expressing”.
WINDS OF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2023 Fukuoka Landscape―through the traces and fragmented memories
"Someone’s Dream (Listen, Draw, and Talk)" 2023 Photo by Kawasaki Ittoku
Interaction Diary
December 16―Closing Talk: An Individual’s Creation in Search of History: Through the Artworks from Asia
Koga talked about the links between his own artwork made during the residency and some works from the museum collection, including two pieces on view at the Best Collection exhibition and other video works. The artist also shared his consideration during the making process, about the relationship between his monumental piece and inscription work deriving from his family history. Koga also read a poem referring to his grandmother’s personal story which was incorporated in the work, A Place with a Clear View (Texts).
December 11 ―Trip to Kurume
The artist met Ozawa Taro, who works at the Department of Culture, Protection of Cultural Properties Section, Kurume City, to do some historical research of Kurume as a commercial and industrial city. On the same day, he also visited Koga Toshitake at Asahi Shoes, Ltd., to learn about Kurume as a city of rubber, while being referred to some historical references.
December 9 ―Gallery Talk：Chen Wei-chen and Koga Yoshihiro
(held at the community space in the Artist Cafe Fukuoka)
Koga talked about the making process of each of the two works. The artist told the audience thatA Place with a Clear View (Texts) should not become a background or supplemental reference for A Place with a Clear View (Tower), and that the two works should be presented independently. Koga also asked questions about the works by another invited artist,Chen Wei-chen.
December 9-25 ―Residency Exhibition WINDS OF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2023 Fukuoka Landscape―through the traces and fragmented memories
(Art Cafe, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum)
Koga showed another installation piece Someone’s Dream (Listen, Draw, and Talk) made by participants of his workshop “Collecting Dreams.”
Photo credit: Kawasaki Ittoku
December 9-17 ―Residency Exhibition WINDS OF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2023 Fukuoka Landscape―through the traces and fragmented memories
(Artist Cafe Fukuoka)
Koga showed two installation works A Place with a Clear View (Tower) and A Place with a Clear View (Texts) in the gallery. Photo credit: Kawasaki Ittoku
December 5 ―Preparation for the Exhibition
On this day, Koga and some members of art space tetra carried out the artwork covered with cement from the studio and brought it to the gallery.
December 3 ―Art-Making
Koga detached vinyl covers from his workplace to check his artwork’s condition on which he applied and accumulated cement powders.
November 30 ―Final Days of Workshop
There were only a few days left until the workshop ends on December 2. People of different generations joined and made different versions of colorful writing and drawing.
November 22 ―Art-Making
Koga made an original workplace with vinyl sheets and wood inside the studio. He then started applying cement onto his mold inside the space.
November 11 ―Welcome Party organized by FAAM Volunteers
Koga and Chen Wei-Chen explained their ongoing works in the studio to FAAM volunteers. The two artists answered some questions, such as their impressions of Fukuoka city.
November 9 ―Art Making
A mold into which the artist will pour cement was created in the studio.
November 5 ―Art-Making
Koga started to concentrate working in studio after doing research.
October 26 ―Workshop “Collecting Dreams”
Since October 21, Koga’s workshop titled Colleting Dreams has started. On this day, Chen Wei-Chen, another artist invited at the same time (second term of AIR Program) with Koga, joined the workshop.
October 14 Artist Talk
(held at the community space in the Artist Cafe Fukuoka)
The artist shared stories of making art using cement powders influenced by the artist’s family business, and also plans for the residency work which would become an organically designed piece, deriving from personal and emotional story of Koga’s grandmother. Koga also announced an open call to join the workshop for “collecting dreams.”
