Michio Takayama

Michio Takayama was a painter committed to his art first and foremost, who expressed his visions of both inner beauty and physical majesty in richly-layered, vibrant abstract paintings. He was an unlikely Taos resident, having been born in turn-of-the-century rural Japan and educated to carry on the family business. But through his unwavering commitment to his art, and a series of unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Takayama found Taos, a place that reflected the vastness of his mind and heart and a place where he could express himself completely with his palette knife and brushes.

Michio Takayama was born on October 11, 1903, in Chiba prefecture, Japan, the first son of a country squire. Following his father’s wishes, he studied law at university and embarked on a banking career in Tokyo.

After work and on weekends, he painted, including eight years of study (1931-39) with noted Japanese landscape painter Shin Kurihara. In 1939, following a series of successes in the modern art community, Michio quit his banking job, and turned to painting full-time. His father promptly disowned him.

Michio won prestigious awards, including one for which he was presented a sword by Prime Minister Tojo. He was a jurying member and active leader in the Niki Artists’ Association. He also traveled extensively in Japan, Taiwan and Manchuria to sketch and paint.

In November 1956, Michio and his wife, Yaye, went to Los Angeles to attend their daughter’s. During the visit, Yaye was diagnosed with cancer and required immediate medical care. This required that she stay in the U.S. beyond their tourist visas. At that time, Michio was exhibiting at the Landau Gallery, (where he later held three successful one-man shows,) and Felix Landau and Illinois Congressman Sidney Yates helped Michio and Yaye acquire their permanent residency visas.

In the summer of 1966, Michio and Yaye were introduced to Toas by a former painting student. It was on that trip that Michio made his first drawings and became enamored with the scenery. The Takayamas moved to Taos in April 1967 to take up their fellowship at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Residency program. They built their home and studio in Taos, where Michio, inspired daily by the uninterrupted views of Taos Mountain and the beautiful sunsets, painted and exclaimed, “Taos is best!”

Michio Takayama showed his work in museums and galleries, primarily in the Southwest and Southern California, until the end of his life. He died on January 9, 1994.

Michio Takayama (1903-1994) was committed to his art first and foremost. He expressed his vision of both inner beauty and physical majesty in richly-layered, vibrant abstract paintings.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

New Mexico
Michio Takayama: A Retrospective, The Harwood Museum, Taos, 2005
Taos: Michio Takayama Drawings from 1966-1969, The Harwood Museum, Taos, 1999
Michio Takayama, Works on Paper: Taos and Interpreting Europe, Michael McCormick Gallery, Taos, 2001, 2000
Bryans Gallery, Taos, 1988, 1987, 1986
Michio Takayama: One Man’s Perspective: New Mexico State Fair Fine Art Gallery, Albuquerque, 1984
Stables Gallery, Taos, 1983, 1977, 1975, 1970, 1968
The New Gallery, Taos, 1983, 1981
Roswell Museum and Art Center, Roswell, 1980
Mesa Public Library, Los Alamos, 1977, 1970
Total Arts Gallery, Taos, 1983, 1975

United States
Michio Takayama: Color and Serenity, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma and The Gallery at 6th & 6th, Tucson, Arizona, 2008
White Pine Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, 1988
Nippon Club, New York City, New York, 1988
Milly Beavers Fine Art Gallery, Boulder, Colorado, 1980
Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, California, 1978, 1969
Dan O’Shea Gallery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1975, 1971
Winged Art Gallery, Sedona, Arizona, 1970
Yorktown Gallery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1970, 1969, 1968
Felix Landau Museum, Los Angeles, California, 1968, 1962, 1960, 1958
Riverside Library, Riverside, California, 1967
Tenrikyo Gallery, Los Angeles, California, 1957

Japan
Matsuzakaya Gallery, Tokyo, 1981
Mitsukoshi Art Salon, Sendai, 1974, 1965
Kawano Gallery, Tokyo, 1974
Hotel New Japan, Akasaka, Tokyo, 1974
Saiko-do Salon, Ginza, Tokyo, 1973
Maruzen Hall, Tokyo, 1953

Michio and Yaye Takayama Joint Exhibitions
Michio and Yaye Takayama 50th Anniversary, Stables Gallery, 1980
Couple show of oil paintings by Michio & Yaye Takayama, Konohana Gallery, Tokyo, 1964
Paintings by Mr. and Mrs. Michio Takayama: Palos Verdes Library Gallery, Palos Verdes, California, 1963

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
The Harwood Museum, Taos, New Mexico, 1987
Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, California, 1973, 1970
Southwest Fine Arts Biennial, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1970
Exhibition of Japanese Artists Abroad: Europe and America, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, 1965
Landau Gallery, Los Angeles, California, 1958
Artists of Los Angeles and Vicinity, Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, California, 1958, 1957

COLLECTIONS:
The Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chiba Prefectural Art Museum, Chiba, Japan
The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, Taos, New Mexico
International Museum of Art and Science, McAllen, Texas
Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, California
Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Old Jail Art Center, Albany, Texas
Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, California
Rockwell Museum, Corning, New York
Roswell Museum, Roswell, New Mexico
Saitama Prefectural Modern Art Museum, Urawa City, Japan
U.S. Bank (formerly Midland Federal Savings and Loan)