Art Exhibition
ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth by Dwight Hwang and Miki Yokoyama

Dates:
January 21 - March 15, 2025

Hours:
Mon-Sat 12:00pm-6:00pm
Closed on Sundays & Holidays (February 8 and 27)

Location:
The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles Hall
(5700 Wilshire Blvd.,#100, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
Admission: FREE

Opening Reception:
7PM Tuesday, January 21

RSVP preferred
 

The Ryūgūjо̄ [竜宮城], or Dragon Palace, is a mythical undersea kingdom in East Asian folklore, often depicted as a magnificent, otherworldly palace beneath the ocean. In Japan, the legend of Ryūgūjо̄ appears in classical Japanese literature, including the Manyо̄shū (compiled in the late 8th century), Heiji Monogatari (compiled in the late 12th century), and Genpei Seisuiki (compiled in the late 13th century). In these stories, the palace is ruled by the dragon king Ryūjin [竜神], a powerful sea deity who controls the tides and storms. The story of Ryūgūjо̄ reflects the transience of life, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the connection between myth and reality. 

The myth has inspired many interpretations, with locations across Japan claiming ties to the Ryūgūjо̄. Some of these places include Kagoshima, Okinawa (Ryūkyū), Nagasaki, Miyagi, and Shiga, regions closely connected to major bodies of water. In these areas, you can also find paintings, statues, temples, shrines, and tourist attractions inspired by the Ryūgūjо̄, showing how people have woven various stories from the same legend over generations.

In this exhibition, ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth by Dwight Hwang and Miki Yokoyama, two artists reimagine this myth through their practices of Gyotaku (fish prints) and mix media, exploring the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth beneath the waves.

This exhibition unites two artists, Hwang and Yokoyama, whose contrasting practices are brought together by a shared fascination with the deep sea’s ethereal world. Despite having never met before, their collaboration was curated to explore the intersection of tradition, imagination, and the mysteries of underwater life.

For the first time, the artists collaborated to create five special works. Hwang’s gyotaku of marine life are reimagined by layers of Yokoyama’s acrylic paintings. The result is a mesmerizing blend of the real and the fantastical. Yokoyama’s paintings and sculptures construct a dreamlike seascape in which Hwang’s printed fish reside with vibrant lifelikeness, inviting viewers to imagine the mythical Ryūgūjо̄ as a realm still hidden in the ocean's depths. 

A Note from JFLA:

We are deeply saddened to share that Miki Yokoyama’s home was lost to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles. Miki and her family are currently sheltered in a safe place, however many of the installation pieces she had prepared for “ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth” were destroyed. When presented with the option to postpone, Miki instead requested that the exhibition continue as scheduled with the understanding that she will be creating new installation works which will be added to the exhibition as they are completed. Just as the deep ocean is always in flux, so the exhibition will live, breathe, and evolve as Miki’s new installations engage and recontextualize Dwight’s gyotaku and their collaborative artworks. JFLA is deeply appreciative of Miki’s strength during this difficult time and honors her new vision for an ever-changing “ETHEREAL” exhibition. Please join our opening reception on January 21 at 7 pm, and pay attention to our socials for updates as Miki’s new works reinterpret the Ryūgūjо̄. 

artistS:

Dwight Hwang
Originally an award-winning filmmaker in both animation and live action, Hwang has now dedicated himself to the art of gyotaku, the traditional Japanese practice of fish printing, as well as European nature printing. Whether capturing the essence of fish, plants, birds, or even human figures, Hwang’s art goes beyond simple representation—it is a way of preserving memory, honoring life, and contemplating the fleeting beauty of existence. His work invites viewers to pause, reflect, and experience a moment of quiet awe at the perfect imperfection of life.
Instagram: @dwighthwang_gyotaku
Website: www.dwighthwang.com

Miki Yokoyama
Born in Fukushima, Japan, and now based in Los Angeles, Miki Yokoyama is a self-taught artist whose work spans a wide range of media, from canvas and objets d'art to murals and live performances. Yokoyama’s work explores themes of life, death, and transformation, offering a vision of the universe as an interconnected, transient experience. Yokoyama invites viewers to reflect on the beauty, chaos, and possibility inherent in the cycles of existence.

Instagram:  @mikiyokoyama.art
Website: www.mikiyokoyama.com

Related Program

IN THE TUNE OF ART
Kokyu: Melancholic String Instrument 
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
7:00-8:30PM

WORKSHOP
Painting Ethereal with Miki Yokoyama
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
7:00-8:30PM

WORKSHOP
Printing Gyotaku with Dwight Hwang
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
7:00-8:30PM