"Living Treasures" of New York - Frank Taira (1913-2010)
Licensing |
The New York City arts community is one of the most renowned in the world. Yet amidst the richness of cultures, activities, art institutions, landmarks, and the hustle and bustle of life in The Big Apple, are “Living Treasures of New York” – Nikkei senior citizens over the age of 75 who are celebrated artists still living in New York City.
Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University is proud to provide you a sampling of some of these Living Treasures.
Slides in this album |
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Frank Taira(b. August 21, 1913, San Francisco, CA; d. July 4, 2010, New York, NY) Frank Taira was born on August 21, 1913, in San Francisco, California. When his family returned to Japan in 1928, he decided, at the young age of 15, to remain in the United States to pursue …
Frank Taira |
Crowned King18" x 24" oil on canvas (1953) “Color makes it lively. It is all in the mind, I didn’t have a model.” |
Reading Room40" x 35" oil on canvas (1959) “It’s leaning towards abstract. Focusing the light over the table lights the people reading. Then the books are there. If you close your eyes you see the important people.” |
Last Stand30" x 40" oil on canvas (1961) |
Harbor30" x 25" oil on canvas (1961)
Harbor (1961) |
Self-Portrait30" x 40" oil on canvas (1966) |
Cathedral Interior30" x 40" oil on canvas (1972) |
Bow Bridge22" x 29" oil on canvas (undated)
Bow Bridge |
Alone18" x 20" oil on canvas (1979)
Alone (1979) |
Yoshiko16" x 20" oil on canvas (1983) “This is a painting of my daughter. At first she posed without anything on her head and I had the colorful towel. All the colors are in harmony.”
Yoshiko (1983) |
Stairway25" x 36" oil on canvas (1986)
Stairway (1986) |
Boy with Pigeon20" x 17" oil on canvas (1995) |
Contortionist21" x 35" oil on canvas (1992-1996) |
Young Woman with Crown23" x 32" oil on canvas (1999) This piece appeared in a juried show and publication, Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea, Florence Italy, 2001. |
Secrets11" x 14" oil on canvas (2002)
Secrets (2002) |
Snowing in the Park16" x 30" oil on canvas (2003) |
Best Wishes on a New Life10.5" x 14" pen and ink (1952) This piece shows patients on the balcony of their ward, giving a send-off to departing patients by banging whatever was available on the balcony railing. (NOTE: this drawing and the following four works are all pieces that depict daily life in a TB …
Best Wishes |
Reading Techniques16" x 14" (1950) |
The Big Cough13" x 16" pen and ink (1951) |
Some Days I Imagine My Pills Like This15.5" x 13.5" (1951)
Some Days I Imagine My Pills Like This (5/2/51) |
Rest in Peace13.5" x 16" watercolor (undated)
Rest in Peace |
Bullfighter19" x 14" watercolor (1951) |
Observing13.25" x 9.5" watercolor (1959) |
Outdoor Vendor11" x 7.5" watercolor (1959) |
Landscape10.5" x 7.5" watercolor (1983) |