Kenzi Shiokava Did It for the Love of It
He modeled what a life in art can amount to without acclaim, celebrity, money, and all the other trappings we tell artists are required.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presents an exhibition honoring the life and artistic journey of Kenzi Shiokava, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 83. Born and raised in Brazil, Shiokava moved to Los Angeles at 25, never leaving the city. He enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute in 1968, earning a BFA and later an MFA from Otis.
Shiokava found his artistic home near Watts, where he became friends with Black assemblage artists connected to the Watts Towers Arts Center. Despite being part of the community, his work was often overlooked on the fringes of Southern California's art scene. He supported himself by gardening for Marlon Brando for 20 years and later resided in a warehouse in Compton, surrounded by an abundance of found materials.
Shiokava's career gained recognition in 2016 with his participation in the Made in L.A. biennial, which led to international media attention and subsequent invitations to exhibit in other locations. This retrospective exhibition at the MCA features a variety of his work, including constructions made from dried leaves, old photographs, glitter, and other found objects.
Additionally, viewers will find a collection of old metal and wood boxes containing toy figurines and plant matter, reflecting Shiokava's intimate connection to his environment. The exhibition also includes personal photographs, gallery ephemera, his traditional wood hand-carving tools, and a video documenting his artistic process in his studio.
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