L I L L I A N M I C H I K O B L A K E Y, OSA
EDUCATION: University of Toronto, Honours Bachelor of Arts , Fine Art , 1968
University of Toronto, Bachelor of Education, 1970
TEACHING: Teacher, Visual Arts, North York Board of Education, 1970 -77
Department Head, Visual Arts, North York Board of Education, 1980 -90
Consultant, Equity and Generalist, North York Board of Education, 1990 -
2001
Author, Art Direction, elementary language series, "Our Wonderful World"
Pearson Publishing 1995
ASSOCIATIONS: Member, Art Committee Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 2017 - 2019
Member, Treasurer, John B. Aird Gallery Board of Directors, 2011- 2013
Chair, New Members Nomination Committee and New Members Election,
OSA, 2012
Chair, partners: a collaboration OSA and Woodstock Art Gallery, 2009-11
President, The Ontario Society of Artists, 2006-2008
Vice-President, The Ontario Society of Artists, 2006
Elected Member, The Ontario Society of Artists, 2005
AWARDS: ART
2019 Signature image “Reiko, Alberta 1945” for Royal Ontario Museum exhibition “Being Japanese Canadian: reflections on a broken world”
2012 The OSA Eleanor Bessen Award for outstanding service to the society
2009 Ontario Society of Artists President's Award, Outstanding merit
2009 Japanese Paper Place Award, Ontario Society of Artists,
2009 Award of Merit, Ontario Society of Artists 136th Annual Open Juried Exhibition,
"Open Mind", “From Enemy Alien to All You Can Eat Sushi”John B. Aird Gallery,Toronto
2007 Award of Merit, Ontario Society of Artists, 134th Annual Open Juried Exhibition,
2007Earth Water Air Fire, "In Sync", John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
2006 Best Acrylics, 38th Annual Juried Exhibition, Oshawa Arts Association, " Shikata ga nai / It Can’t Be helped, Alberta 1951", Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
Old Town Hall Gallery, Newmarket, "IKI:breath", joint exhibition with Bryce Kanbara,
March 7, 2020, interrupted by COVID19
Royal Ontario Museum, "Being Japanese Canadian: reflections on a broken world"
Feb. 2 - Aug. 5, 2019
Campbell House Museum, University of Toronto, "Redefining Home", Feb. 28-Apr.1,2019
Nikkei National Museum cross Canada tour, “A Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese
Canadian Redress (1977-1988)
University of British Columbia, "Absence in Remembrance: The Japanese Canadian
Internment" June 16 - July 16, 2016 - centred o the remembrance and commemoration of the experience and legacy of the Japanese Canadian internment, which began in British Columbia and unfolded across Canada in World War II.
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, “A Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese Canadian Redress, 2016
Nikkei National Museum, “A Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese Canadian Redress
(1977-1988) | September 22 - December 29, 2013”, Burnaby, B.C.
The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, “Artsu Matsuri” Group Exhibition, Toronto to, July 2013The Robarts Library, University of Toronto, “Embracing Our Art” art by local AsianCanadians, May, 2013
The Ontario Society of Artists Selected Members’ Works, Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills, Toronto, January 2013
Ontario Society of Artists 140th Anniversary Group Exhibition, Aurora Cultural Centre,Aurora, June/July 2012 between OSA (est.1872) and St. James Anglican Cathedral (est. 1879), Toronto, June 13 – June 29, 2012
Solo Exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, “On Being Michiko a sansei artist’s journey”, Toronto, May 31 – June 22, 2012
John B. Aird Gallery, OSA 139th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, “Darkness and Light”, April, 2012
Helen McClung Exhibit Area, Archives of Ontario, “GIFTED: Donations from the Ontario Society of Artists” April- October, 2012
Collaborative Exhibition, with Linda Finn OSA, Aurora Cultural Centre, “Faces of War, Nov. 1 – 19, 2011
Solo Exhibition, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, “On Being Michiko”, Toronto, Oct. 6 – Nov. 6, 2011
Station Gallery, “Uxbridge Artists Collective: Heart, Mind and Hand”, Whitby
Solo Exhibition, Aurora Cultural Centre ,“Who Am I? In Search of an Answer”, Aurora, April 5 – 30, 2011
John B. Aird Gallery, OSA 138th Annual Open Juried Exhibition “Memory”, April 5 – 29, 2011
John B. Aird Gallery, “Drawing 2011”, Toronto, Feb 1 – 28, 2011
Gallery Stratford, “Being in Time”, Stratford Ontario, ”, The 138th Anniversary Members Exhibition of the Ontario Society of Artists, Stratford Ontario, April 2011
Aurora Cultural Centre, group show, “Distinctly Canadian”, Aurora, Sept. 9 – Oct. 30 2010
Station Gallery 40th Anniversary Juried Exhibition, Whitby, December 2009 - January 2010
John B. Aird Gallery,Uxbridge Studio Artists on Tour, Heart Mind Hand, Toronto, June, 2009
John B. Aird Gallery, OSA 136th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, “Open Mind” Award of Merit, Toronto, May, 2009
Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario, 2006 -2010, 4 works
John B. Aird Gallery, Award of Merit, OSA 134th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Earth Water Air Fire, Toronto, May, 2007
The Government of Ontario Art Collection, Contemporary art by 18 OSA members, Queen's Park
Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Best Acrylics, 38th Annual Juried Exhibition, Oshawa Arts Association, 7/2006, Oshawa
OSA Regional Partnership, Group Show, OSA and The Magic Door Art Gallery & Studio, Sunderland, June - August, 2006
Woodstock Art Gallery, “Voices”, Joint Project OSA/Woodstock Art Gallery, Woodstock, Jan. 21 - March 4, 2006
John B. Aird Gallery, Juried exhibition, Ontario Society of Artists 132nd Annual Juried Exhibition “Metamorphosis”, 4/2005,
John B. Aird Gallery, Juried exhibition, Ontario Society of Artists 131st Annual Juried Exhibition “Worship” Toronto 2004
Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, Uxbridge Studio Artists on Tour, Heart Mind Hand, Toronto, Ontario,Oct.2010
Gallery artist, Towne Square Gallery, Oakville Ontario, 2008-2009
Gallery artist, Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, Toronto, 2008-2009
Gallery artist, The Magic Door Gallery, Sunderland Ontario 2002 -2009
"OSA in the Summer", summer exhibitions 2009, Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, Toronto, 2009
"OSA in the Summer", summer exhibitions 2009, Towne Square Gallery, Oakville, July, 2009
John B. Aird Gallery,Uxbridge Studio Artists on Tour, "Heart Mind Hand", Toronto, June, 2009
John B. Aird Gallery, OSA 135th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, "Open Mind", Award of Merit, Toronto, May, 2009
"OSA in the GTA" , Summer Exhibition 2008 , Pentimento Fine Art Gallery, Toronto, July, 2009
"OSA in the GTA" , Summer Exhibition 2008 , Towne Square Gallery, Oakville, July, 2008
Government of Ontario Art Collection, 2006, 2008
Ontario Society of Artists Gallery, Jesse Ashbridge House, "Presence", Toronto, 11/2007
John B. Aird Gallery, Award of Merit, OSA 133rd Annual Open Juried Exhibition, "Earth Water Air Fire", Toronto, 5, 2007
John B. Aird Gallery, "OSA Members Exhibition, Collective Works From the Studios of… " 3/2007, John B. Aird Gallery,
OSA New Members Exhibition, 2005/2006, 12/2006, Toronto
Jordan Art Gallery, OSA Regional Partnership, "Little Gems", 12/ 2006, Jordan
The Government of Ontario Art Collection, Contemporary art by 18 OSA members, Queen's Park, Whitney Block 10/2006, opening reception in the Lieutenant Governor's Suite
Robert McLaughlin Gallery, "Best Acrylics", 38th Annual Juried Exhibition, Oshawa ArtsAssociation, 7/2006, Oshawa
OSA Regional Partnership, Group Show, "OSA and The Magic Door Art Gallery & Studio", Sunderland, June - August, 2006
Woodstock Art Gallery, "Voices", Joint Project OSA/Woodstock Art Gallery, January 21 - March 4, 2006, Woodstock Ontario
Uxbridge Studio Tour, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Uxbridge
Junction Arts Festival, Juried Exhibition , "Annual Greenpeace Exhibition", Toronto, 2005
John B. Aird Gallery, Juried exhibition, Ontario Society of Artists 31th Annual Juried Exhibition “Metamorphosis”, 4/2005, Toronto
Brush Gallery, Gallery Artist, 2004, Toronto Distillery District
John B. Aird Gallery, Juried exhibition, Ontario Society of Artists 30th Annual Juried Exhibition “Worship", 2004, Toronto
Robert McLaughlin Gallery, "36th Annual Juried Exhibition, Oshawa Arts Association", Oshawa, June,2004
"Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts, Juried Exhibition", Uxbridge, 5/2002, 6/2003, 5/2004
Peterson Fine Art, Group show, Gallery Artists, Spring Exhibition, Toronto, March, 2004
Peterson Fine Art, Group, Gallery Artists, ‘Tis the Season, Toronto 15/12/03
The Magic Door Gallery, Group, "Cats Among Us", 18/8/03,Sunderland
Solo Exhibition, The Magic Door Gallery, "In Silent Spaces" ,Sunderland
Peterson Fine Art, Group, Gallery Artists, "Celebrating Summer", 15/7/03, Toronto,
Peterson Fine Art, "Water Show", July, 2003, Toronto
Solo Exhibition, Peterson Fine Art, "Flow/Stasis", 2/2003, Toronto
1975-1980
Shaw-Rimmington Gallery, Toronto, 1977 – 1979
Lillian Marcus Studio, Toronto, October 1977
Merton Gallery, Toronto, December,1977
Anomon Art Gallery , Toronto, 1976 – 1977
Lisbeth Kress Gallery, Toronto, January 1976
24th Annual Aviva Art Auction, Toronto
Hadassah Organization, January 1976
Alpha Omega Art Auction, Toronto
January 1976, "Artisan ''76"
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Toronto
November 1976, Solo, Evans Art Gallery , Toronto
July1976, North York Council of Arts, North York, December 1975
"Artisan '75", Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre , Toronto, November 1975
COLLECTIONS:
The Nikkei National Museum, Burnaby British, Columbia
The Looking Back Series
- Tied Up, 2012
- O Canada, 2012
- From Enemy Alien to All You Can eat Sushi, 2013
- War-Torn, 2013
- Redress, 2013
- Reiko, Alberta,1945, 2012
- The Robarts Library, University of Toronto
- Private collections in Canada, U.S.A., Great Britain
The Government of Ontario Art Collection:
- Morning Prayer, 2005: 99 Wellesley, Whitney Block, Premier's office waiting area and corridor
- Orange Tractor, 2004: 56 Wellesley, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Deputy Minister, boardroom
- Once Upon a Time, Dufferin Rink, 1960, 2009: 99 Wellesley, Whitney Block, Premier's office, Chief of Staff, waiting area
- On OSA Lake, Killarney Provincial Park, 2007: Archives of Ontario
- Slideshow: Our Class Trip to Ottawa, 1961, 2012: Archives of Ontario
RECENT BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Aurora Public Library Podcasts 3 episodes , “Out of the Ashes”, May 4 2020, “African Violets and Sakura” May 11 2020, "Redress to the Present" May 18, 2020
The Dictionary of Canadian Biography, retweet of “Out of the Ashes” May 2020
Heritage Toronto, retweet of Out of the Ashes, “African Violets and Sakura” May 18 2020
The Auroran, “Out of the Ashes is a personal story of Japanese Internment and the Healing Power of art”, Brock Weir, May 14, 2020
Newmarket Era and YorkRegion.com, March 20, 2020 “Canada is not a Utopia”: Newmarket exhibit examines pain of Japanese Canadian internment", Simone Joseph
Royal Ontario Museum magazine, "Being Japanese Canadian: reflections on a broken world", Winter 2019
Nikkei Voice, “New Installation Shares Multi-generational Response to Internment at the ROM", Kelly Fleck, Feb. 2019
Japan in Canada.com, “Being Japanese Canadian: Reflections on a Broken World” exhibition at Royal Ontario Museum, opening program, Maari Sugawara, Managing Editor, Feb. 14, 2019
Toronto Star, “Shining a Light to dispel the shame”. Japanese Canadian artists say new ROM exhibition echoes modern crises, Adina Bresge, Feb. 3, 2019
Globe & Mail, “At the ROM, haunting Japanese Canadian history hides in plain sight” , Fred Lum, Feb. 5 2019
NOW “Japanese Canadian artists grapple with the lasting effects of the internment” The Royal Ontario Museum’s exhibition Being Japanese Canadian:Reflections on a Broken World sets out to disrupt the colonial narrative, Samantha Edwards Feb. 27, 2019
TVO, “The Weight of Memory in Japanese Canadian Art” Matthew O’Mara, March 13, 2019
Globe & Mail, “At the ROM, a haunting past hides in plain sight”, The Toronto museum’s Sigmund Samuel Gallery plays host to the work of eight Japanese Canadian artists, each reflecting on a dark moment in our country’s history and illustrating how it’s embedded in our cultural narrative, Kate Taylor, Feb. 9 2019
The Bulletin, “Being Japanese Canadian: reflections on a broken world”, Bulletin Interview with Bryce Kanbara and Katherine Yamashita, March 2019, John Endo Greenaway
The Hamilton Spectator, “Hamiltonian Bryce Kanbara co-curates ROM exhibit ‘Being Japanese Canadian’ Exhibit features eight works by Japanese Canadian artists who either experienced internment firsthand, or saw it’s effects on their parents and grandparents, Emma Reilly, March 1, 2019
Hyperallergic, “Contemporary artists reflect on Japanese internment”, March 2019
Bento Box Magazine, “Being Japanese Canadian: reflections on a broken world”, Kathleen O’Hagan, March 25, 2019
City News, “Japanese Canadian artists say internment exhibit at the ROM echos crises of today”, Adina Bresge, The Canadian Press, Jan. 31, 2019
Canadian Art Junkie, “The ROM: Being Japanese Canadian”, J. Walters, Feb. 20 2019
Best Artwork, “Contemporary Artists reflect on Japanese Internment”, Feb.23 2019
Musings Master of Museum Studies, University of Toronto, “ Worth a Thousand Words”, Maddy Howard, March 6, 2019
Lattin Magazine, “La dolorosa historia de los japoneses en Canada a traves de la mirada de ocho artistas”, Feb. 2 2019
Calgary Herald, “Japanese Canadian artists say internment exhibit at the ROM echos crises of today”, Adina Bresge, Feb. 9, 2019
Wall Street International Magazine, “Being Japanese Canadian”, April 23 2019
Artdaily.org, “Being Japanese Canadian”
Discover Nikkei, “Toronto art at the Royal Ontario Museum: Being Japanese Canadian:Reflections on a Broken World”, Norm Masaii Ibuki, May 28, 2019
Discover Nikkei, “A journey of becoming… with Toronto’s Lillian Michiko Blakey”, Norm Masaii Ibuki,, July 31, 2019
Six Star, “Profound, Relevant, Personal To the Core: Japanese Canadian art emerges from the shadows” Fall/Winter 2017
Nikkei Voice, “Gallery panel talk recoups Japanese Canadian identity”, Vol.25 No.6 July 2011
Video - Rogers Daytime Television York Region, Aurora Cultural Centre Exhibition, “Who Am I? In Search of Myself”, April 14, 2011
Yorkregion .com, article , “Exhibit Depicts Artist’s Struggles with Self-Image”, Sean Pearce and video interview, April 2011
Nikkei Voice, Events Calendar, “Lillian Michiko Blakey Art Exhibition”, April, 2011
The Banner, “Exhibit Depicts Artist’s Struggles with Self-Image”, Sean Pearce, Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Auroran, photo by David Falconer, April 2011
Nikkei Voice, “Sansei Artist’s Show Explores JC Identity”, Vol.25 No.4, May 2011