Yasuo Kuniyoshi was the most important Asian American artist in the United States in the first half of the 20th Century, thanks to his individualistic painting style. In 1948 he had the honor of being the first living artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. It was an ironic honor since, due to immigration laws, he was not allowed to become an American citizen, although he was a fervent opponent of Japanese aggression during World War II. This presentation will trace the evolution of Kuniyoshi’s distinctive modernist style, which blends elements of American folk art and Japanese aesthetics. Recognizing Baruch’s historic identity as a college focused on business, I will conclude with some stories about how Kuniyoshi’s work has fared in the art market.
The World Cultures, World Arts Series bridges the gap between the business education of a Baruch student and the cultural and artistic world. In each session, an artist or art historian presents a detailed look at a piece of artwork, its context and its relevance for today. We will connect world cultures with the fine arts, to see if we can find an alternate way to become globally-accomplished students. The Baruch community is invited to attend this free online lecture.
