Home > Yuko Nii

Yuko Nii, (b. 1942)
Studied ( 1961- 1963) English and American literature at Aoyama Gakuin University *[1], Tokyo, Japan. In 1963 she transferred to Macalaster College * http://www.macalester.edu/ , St. Paul, Minnesota, and earned a BFA. in 1965. From 1966 she attended Pratt Institute *[2], Brooklyn, New York, as a fellowship student and earned her MFA in painting in 1968. From 1968 to 1976, while pursuing her painting career, she taught art at Lenox School ( high schoolHigh school or secondary school is the last segment of compulsory education in Hong Kong, United States, Australia, Canada, China, Korea and Japan. It provides a secondary education. Hong Kong Secondary education in Hong Kong is largely based on the Briti level) in New York CitySkyline, with Statue of Liberty New York, New York" redirects here. For alternate meanings, see New York, New York (disambiguation). New York — officially named City of New York and often called New York City to distinguish it from the state of New York,. After quitting teaching from 1976 to 19961996 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty''. Events January January 5 Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone Jan she committed herself totally to the creative fields, pursuing painting as her main career, and supporting herself as a printmaker, as a graphic designer, as a stage set designerScenic design also known as Stage design is the creation of theatrical scenery. Scenic designers have traditionally come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but nowadays, generally speaking, they are trained professionals, often with M. degrees in sce, costume and fashion designer, and as a writer in journalismJournalism is a discipline of collecting, verifying, reporting and analyzing information gathered regarding current events, including trends, issues and people. It is sometimes defined more broadly as the pursuit of the truth. Those who practice journalis, poetry, fiction and philosophy.

Nii's work *[3] has been shown at numerous museums, galleries and universities in the U.S.A. and Japan, including one person shows at [The Berkshire Museum] *[4], MA.; Monique Knowlton Gallery and Haber Theodore Gallery (both in New York City), Vered International Gallery and Elaine Benson Gallery (both in Long Island, New York), Fairleigh Dickenson University , NJ.; The International Monetary Fund *[5], Washington DC; Ginza Kaiga-kan , Tokyo; and including many group shows in such venues as the Alternative Museum *[6], the Brooklyn Museum *[7], the Bronx Museum , the Hudson River Museum , the Parish Museum , the Guild Hall Museum , James Madison University, VA.; Kent State University, OH.; California State University, CA., The World Trade Center , Lincoln Center *[8], The United Nations General Assembly Building (all in NYC).

Nii's works are in public and private collections including those of the Cincinnati Art Museum *[9], The Berkshire Museum , The Alternative Museum , Equitable Assurance Collection , Chase Manhattan Bank, Bankers Trust , Security Pacific Bank, N.L. Industries , The U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers *[10], Bonny Corp. , Nihon Davis Standard Corp. , and many more.

Nii's works are included in a number of publications, including Looking at Landscapes ( Criterion Press ) and she has been reviewed often in publications including the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, the Village Voice, Soho Weekly News , Art News Magazine , the Berkshire Eagle , the Geijutsu Shincho Art Magazine and three major Japanese newspapers, and many local newspapers. She has appeared on several television and radio programs here and in Japan.

Nii was an advisory panelist for the Cultural Council Foundation of New York City for CAPS grants. And she was twice an artist in residence at Yaddo * http://www.yaddo.org/ in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Nii's "Friends and Mentors" *[11] belong to an established circle of artists in New York including Jack Lenor Larsen *[12] (Textile Design), Isamu Noguchi *[13] (Sculptor), Toshiko Takaezu *[14] (Ceramics), Esteban Vicente *[15] (Painter), Hillary Harris *[16] (film), Max Newhouse (New Media) and the legendary jazz musician Max Roach *[17].

Nii founded the non-profit Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (WAH Center) *[18] *[19] in Williamsburg Brooklyn *[20]in late 1996 based upon her Bridge Concept. That concept envisions a multifaceted, multicultural art center whose mission is to coalesce the diverse artistic communities, and create a bridge between local, national and international artists, emerging as well as established artists of all disciplines. She also wanted to preserve the WAH Centers building, The Kings County Savings Bank Building*[21] *[22], which is in the National Register of Historic Places and a New York City landmark, and make it a functional part of the cultural community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, one of the largest art communities in the world*[23].

In 1998 Howard Golden , then Brooklyns Borough President named Yuko Brooklyns "Women of the Year" for her "unparalleled devotion to her art and commitment to the artist community of Williamsburg/Greenpoint." And he said that the WAH Centers activities have resulted in "tremendous cultural & economic activity throughout the northern Brooklyn area," an area recently designated as an "historic district." and an "economic development zone."

In 2001 Governor Pataki named Yuko one of New York States women of the year *[24] and called her a Woman of Excellence with Vision and Courage He also congratulated Yuko on "turning the historic Kings County Savings Bank into a multipurpose art center that serves the needs of artists and art aficionados of diverse backgrounds."

In 2003, Borough President Marty Markowitz gave Yuko the Betty Smith Arts Award *[25] for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the arts in Brooklyn. And also City Council Woman Tracy Boyland gave her the Outstanding Citizen award.