The Japanese American Museum of San Jose is honored to have artist Bryan Ida display his unique Ink Portraits from his "con.Text" series in the JAMsj Rotating Exhibit area.

In con.Text, Bryan Ida’s series of almost life-size portraits of entire figures, every decision —and each stroke of the pen — the artist has made, contributes to the power, impact and profound sense of humanity these works convey. Ida has portrayed each of his subjects in a revealing moment adapted from their personal stories, while rooting them in the context of the historical narrative that shaped them. Each portrait chronicles a human drama, in a subtle but literal way. Literal, in that the artist has rendered the contours, shapes and shading of the figures with transcribed text rather than line.

“con.Text” is a series of 12 life-sized portraits that relate historical events and documents to the lives of the subjects who are in some way connected to current times. The portraits examine a broad range of subjects including racism, civil rights, human rights, and man’s inhumanity toward man.

The intent of this series is to portray individuals as the embodiment of strength and pride standing defiantly in the face of oppression and fear by a power against them. With the current social and political environment and the recent acts that repeat past abuse and injustice, Bryan is attempting to view historic events in the context of the contemporary climate.

Bryan Ida’s website:
https://bryanida.com/

con.Text artist statement 
https://bryanida.com/about/  

Bryan Ida’s Biography :
https://bryanida.com/about/

Detailed information on con.Text : 
https://bryanida.com/con-text-ink-portraits-on-panel/

To purchase the “con.text” book:
https://www.blurb.com/b/9617045-con-text