JULY 19, 2022. GRACE EBERT

“Fire Fighter” (2021), oil on canvas, 60 x 76 inches

Marked with visible brushstrokes and drips of paint, the portraits of  Tim Okamura (previously) blend realistic portrayals of his subjects with the fervent, unrestrained qualities of street art. The Japanese-Canadian artist, who recently moved his studio from Brooklyn to Queens, centers his practice around storytelling and honing in on the distinctive energies of those he paints.

“Nurse Tracy” (2021), oil on linen, 40 x 60 inches

Much of Okamura’s portraiture develops in series, whether as the Healthcare Heroes collection devoted to the nurses and doctors working tirelessly throughout the pandemic or the commanding figures of the ongoing Women Warriors […]

“Rites of Spring” (2021), oil on canvas, 64 x 64 inches

More: Set Against a Backdrop of World Events, Tim Okamura’s Bold Portraits Emanate Commanding Energy