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| Jay Koka
Biography |
 >file available in pdf here |
(updated 2008, authorized for reproduction)
A well known and internationally respected artist, Jay Koka's work is ever-changing in color, texture and composition reflective of a man who is constantly searching and continuously evolving his work. Skillful manipulation of color and mood plus considered composition and an occasionally impressionist style are the hallmarks of the artist who is never satisfied with the status quo and always brings a true element of surprise to the viewer at each new exhibition.
Initially known for a highly realistic style and a technical approach to his automotive-themed art, Koka garnered a large and loyal audience for this exquisitely rendered work over the first decade of his career. In the mid 90's however, Koka embarked on a dramatic and some said even 'shocking' change in art style. The relatively small and tightly rendered gouache works were replaced by very large format canvases with a notable disregard for detail and an emphasis on explorations in texture, form and color. Always creatively restless and endlessly experimenting in the style of his work, Koka continues to alternate between these two style extremes …. realism and impressionism exist side by side in Koka's body of work.
Koka's original works are collected by private and public audiences worldwide. In a career filled with accomplishment, Koka is particularly proud of his selection by the CHRYSLER Corporation for the creation of "Metamorphosis", a major 80 square foot, 4-panel work for the corporation's World Headquarters in 1996. His Studio, which in 2005 marks its twentieth anniversary, has published a large and popular body of overt 100 limited print editions which have been distributed throughout the world. (His original paintings as well as an online catalog of his prints and posters are featured in two extensive websites located at www.jaykokastudio.com) . He is particularly well known for his large and widely disseminated body of work on Ferrari, in fact, his art has been used as a Christmas card by the Ferrari Club of Italy and in 1998, his work was selected for exhibition at the "CENTARIO FERRARI", the centenary celebrations held in Modena, Italy by Ferrari. In 2002, Koka was commissioned by PIRELLI North America to prepare a series of original paintings that were presented to the winners in the Ferrari Challenge Series. Each painting depicted the race winner and was presented as the “Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli”.
Most recently, Koka was commissioned by Nissan to produce artwork for the 35th anniversary of the "Z".
Koka has been featured artist and poster artist for many international automotive events including the famed Meadow Brook Concours, Bloomington Gold, Concours of the Eastern United States, Reading Ferrari Concours, Eyes on Design, Concoroso at Meadow Brook, seven times for the Ferrari Club of America Annual Meets and for the six years, the Cavallino Ferrari Classic of Palm Beach. A member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society, his work has been extensively reproduced and he has also received numerous awards including multiple Athena's at Pebble Beach (the third in 2007), the Lincoln Award at Pebble Beach, multiple Awards of Excellence (most recently the fifth) and The Stanley Wanlass Awards twice at Meadow Brook, Best of Show at Philadelphia and numerous others for his work at major exhibitions.
In 2006, Koka was selected to produce the poster art for the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and won not only an "Award of Excellence" at Meadow Brook (his 5th) but also "The Lincoln Award" at Pebble Beach. In 2007, he achieved another double-header with an Award of Excellence at Meadow Brook followed by an Athena at Pebble Beach.
In 2007, Koka was honored with a three-and-a-half month long one man show… a retrospective spanning 20 years… titled "The Art of Jay Koka" at the National Automobile Museum in Reno Nevada (USA). Later that year, most of that exhibit's paintings moved on to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles for a 5 month show beginning in November. A selected group then moved on to the Grace Museum in Texas for an AFAS group show.
For 2008, Koka has again been commissioned to produce the poster art for the Ferrari Club of America's International Meet in July. He has also been commissioned to produce the inaugural poster art for the Louisville Concours d'Elegance to be held at the fabled Churchill Downs in October.
Koka is an almost 20 year member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society and serves on its Board of Directors.
Born in Budapest, Hungary
, Koka moved to Canada in 1956 where he was educated and enjoyed a
successful corporate career in marketing prior to the formation of his Studio
in 1985. He is a computer “geek” and an internet "pioneer" being one
of the first artists to fully embrace the concept of a virtual gallery. Koka is
also an avid superbike rider and a lifelong automotive enthusiast. He has two
sons, Michael, recently graduated in art and design and James, recently
graduated in software engineering/computer programming who is also his partner
in Webvues, a web development company. He has his home and Studio near Toronto
with his wife Catherine.
Jay Koka accepts a small number of private and corporate commissions for original art each year. The Studio marked its tenth anniversary in 1995 with the publication of a hardcover book titled Jay Koka Studio Ten a definitive look at the artist's life and his work. The Studio marked its Twentieth Anniversary in 2005 with the release of an electronic multi-media book on CDROM in August titled K20. A companion website has also been created at |
| >www.k20.ca |
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| Jay Koka wins a third ATHENA Award at 2007 Pebble Beach ...AND... a fifth Award of Excellence at 2007 Meadow Brook Concours |
Jay Koka's work continues to be honored at major exhibitions. The latest, a third prestigious ATHENA Award at the 27th annual AFAS premiere exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. A fifth AWARD OF EXCELLENCE at the 2007 Meadow Brook follows three previous "Spirit of the Automobilist Awards " at the same venue. In 2006, Koka was awarded the "Lincoln Award" at the AFAS art exhibition at the Pebble Beach Concours.
Other awards over the past twenty years include multiple "Athena Awards" at Pebble Beach, and numerous "Best of Show" and "Art Merit" awards at shows ranging from the Vintage Grand Prix of Philadelphia to the Glenmore Gathering for example and more. |
Member
Automotive Fine Arts
Society |
You can contact the artist directly at:
Jay
Koka Studio,
PO Box 395, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2J 4A9
Tel:
1-519-650-3908 |
| Jay Koka Studio EDITIONS are
published and distributed exclusively by Knightbridge Publishing Incorporated which is an
affiliated company. |
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