SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Oct 18 2024 - Nov 9 2024

Three Artist Exhibition
Featuring: Carm Fogt, Tadashi Hayakawa, and Susan Merriman

Opening Reception: Friday, October 18, 2024, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
First Friday: Friday, November 01, 2024, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Bitfactory Gallery is pleased to feature three artists in a show organized by Tadashi Hayakawa who invited Carm Fogt and Susan Merriman to exhibit alongside him. Spiritual Journey features abstract expressionism paintings that originate from the artists’ soul and are created through their imagination and heart. As an ardent supporter of Hayakawa, curator Bill Thomason is honored to exhibit his work for the second time this year. As a curator he enjoys supporting artists like Fogt and Merriman who have been mentored by Hayakawa, watching their work develop under his gentle guidance. Work by this impressive trio will be on view October 18–November 9, 2024, with a public Opening Reception on Friday, October 18 from 6-9 p.m. and will be on view during regular gallery hours, Tuesday–Sunday 11:30-3 p.m. and during the First Friday Art Walk on Nov 1, 6-9 p.m.

Fogt was initially drawn to Asian art and design during an eclectic art class and so pursued Chinese Brush Painting with various teachers in Southern California. Though decidedly an abstract painter, Fogt incorporates Chinese calligraphy as a way to bring the essence of Asian elegance to her work. For more than 25 years, Fogt has studied with Chinese master artists and calligraphers in both China and the US and was honored to study at the International College of the China Academy of Art, in Hangzhou, in 2006. She works exclusively on rice paper using Chinese ink and watercolors, along with various other media.

Merriman is inspired to express her love of nature and natural things. The visual results can be plain or detailed, realistic or abstract, dramatic or quiet, or a combination. While this show will feature her expressionistic work, overall, she does not limit herself to any particular style, medium or subject and enjoys the variety of exploring in many different directions.

Hayakawa was born in Tokyo, Japan and as a young child studied with prominent contemporary artist/teacher Toshiyuki Tonaka. He came to the USA in 1961 where he studied at Los Angeles City College, later receiving his MFA at Otis Art Institute. After becoming a U.S. Citizen in 1971 he made his living in commercial graphics until, at age 50,Hayakawa felt something missing in his life spiritually. So, he returned to fine art, dedicating himself completely to exploring the transcendent concepts of being human. Since then, he has been in 28 solo exhibitions and group shows in the U.S.A, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Thailand. He has been creating art for over 70 years and is profoundly grateful to be an artist and mentor to other artists. Now in his 80’s, Hayakawa actively lives and works in Parker, Colorado and continues to facilitate (very affordable) artist workshops to pay forward the good fortune and support he has received.

Bitfactory Gallery, located at 851 Santa Fe Drive in the heart of Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe, exhibits work by the best emerging and up-and-coming local, national and international visual artists, striving to showcase art that may not be a good fit for other galleries. They also host one major or renowned artist a year, bringing new and exciting work to Denver. The building also houses Bitfactory Studios with the vision of providing a helpful, friendly working atmosphere for artists and the Garage at Bitfactory, a pop-up gallery space available to rent in one-, three-, or seven-day blocks. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and by appointment. For additional information please contact Bill Thomason at [email protected] or (303) 862-9367 or visit www.bitfactory.net. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram @bitfactorygallery and on X at @bitfactoryg.