Toshio Aoki

Toshio Aoki or Tershui Aoki (1854–1912) was a Japanese-born artist who lived and worked in California at the turn of the 20th century.

He was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1854 and was living in San Francisco, California, in 1880. He relocated in Pasadena, California, in 1901, to the Hotel Green, where he also had a studio. He was active until 1910 and died in San Diego on April 26, 1912.[1]

Aoki "painted portraits and murals in the homes of prominent people and became very successful." His works were handled by George T. Marsh & Company. He exhibited at the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893, and the Art Institute of Chicago gave him a showing in 1924.[1]

The Fine Arts Gallery of San Francisco State University said of him: "Much of Aoki's early life in Japan is speculation, ranging from artistic pursuits (student of acting, or street artist) to the grand and spectacular (a Samurai opposed to the new Japanese government). . . . [he painted] 'spontaneous seki'e ('on the spot' or 'before the viewers' eyes'). He built a reputation as a storyteller, sketching comical figures and eventually landing an illustrating job with the San Francisco Call."[2]

After moving to Pasadena, Aoki "worked hard to shed his reputation as an amusing character and storyteller and to be taken seriously as an artist. He began to work on 'Oriental receptions,' creating an atmosphere of a Japanese masquerade ball."[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Edan Hughes, Artists in California, 1786-1940, as cited in AskArt.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fine Arts Gallery, Department of Art, San Francisco State University

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