Michio Takayama

Biography

Biography

Michio Takayama was born on October 11, 1903, in Chiba prefecture, Japan, the first son of a country squire. Following his father’s wishes, he studied law at university and embarked on a banking career in Tokyo. After work and on weekends, he painted, including eight years of study (1931-39) with noted Japanese landscape painter Shin Kurihara. In 1939, following a series of successes in the modern art community, Michio quit his banking job, and turned to painting full-time. His father promptly disowned him.

 

Michio won prestigious awards, including one for which he was presented a sword by Prime Minister Tojo. He was a jurying member and active leader in the Niki Artists’ Association. He also traveled extensively in Japan, Taiwan and northern China to sketch and paint.

 

In November 1956, Michio and his wife, Yaye, went to Los Angeles to attend their daughter’s wedding. During the visit, Yaye was diagnosed with cancer and required immediate medical care. This required that she stay in the U.S. beyond their tourist visas. At that time, Michio was exhibiting at the Landau Gallery, and Felix Landau and Illinois Congressman Sidney Yates helped Michio and Yaye acquire their permanent residency visas.

 

In the summer of 1966, Michio and Yaye were introduced to Taos by a former painting student. On that trip, Michio made his first drawings and became enamored with the scenery. The Takayamas moved to Taos in April 1967 to take up their fellowship at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Residency program. They built their home and studio in Taos, where Michio, inspired daily by the uninterrupted views of Taos Mountain and the beautiful sunsets, painted and exclaimed, "Taos is best!”

 

Michio Takayama's work was shown in museums and galleries, primarily in the Southwest and Southern California, until his death on January 9, 1994.

 

Selected Exhibitions

Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, NM 2005

 

Partial List of Collections

Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Harwood Museum, Taos, NM
Long Beach Museum of Art, Long Beach, CA
Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
Old Jail Art Center, Albany, TX
Palm Springs Desert Museum, Palm Springs, CA
Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY
Roswell Museum, Roswell, NM
Chiba Prefectural Art Museum, Chiba, Japan
Saitama Prefectural Modern Art Museum, Urawa City, Japan

 

MICHIO TAKAYAMA AT 203 FINE ART

The following exhibition catalogues, published by 203 Fine Art, feature works by Michio Takayama. Please follow the links to view the catalogues on Issuu.

Taos Moderns in Santa Fe | 2019

Taos Moderns Return to The Stables Gallery | 2018

Legends of Taos: Robert C. Ellis & Michio Takayama | 2017

Modern Art in Taos - the Second Chapter | 2016

Taos Moderns: Bridging the Gap | 2015

Works
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Evening Crane, c. 1980
    oil on canvas
    50 x 44"
    signed on face, signed and titled on reverse
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Untitled, 1966
    oil on canvas
    48 x 48 inches
    121.9 x 121.9 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Composition in Red
    Michio Takayama
    Composition in Red
    oil on canvas
    59 x 39 inches
    149.9 x 99.1 cm
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Dream in my Mind, 1983
    Oil on canvas
    50 x 44 inches
    127 x 111.8 cm
    Framed: 44 ½ x 50 ⅝ inches
    Framed: 113 x 128.6 cm
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Sun Dew Point, 1976
    Oil on linen
    50 x 44 inches
    127 x 111.8 cm
    Signed
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Birth of Tempest, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    36 x 30 inches
    91.4 x 76.2 cm
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Fantasia Romanesque , ca. c. 1960s -1970s
    Oil on canvas
    36 x 40 inches
    91.4 x 101.6 cm
  • Michio Takayama, June Bride, c. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    June Bride, c. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    30 x 24 inches
    76.2 x 61 cm
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Primitive, n.d.
    Oil on canvas
    10 x 16 inches
    25.4 x 40.6 cm
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Joy, c. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    26 x 30 inches
    66 x 76.2 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Untitled Calligraphy, c. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Untitled Calligraphy, c. 1970s
    ink on paper
    9 ¼ x 10 ¾ inches
    23.5 x 27.3 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Abstract Brown & Black
    Michio Takayama
    Abstract Brown & Black
    color ink on paper
    9 ½ x 6 ½ inches
    24.1 x 16.5 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Bull Drawing
    Michio Takayama
    Bull Drawing
    ink on paper
    11 x 14 inches
    27.9 x 35.6 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Carnival, ca. c. 1960s -1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Carnival, ca. c. 1960s -1970s
    Oil on canvas
    20 x 20 inches
    50.8 x 50.8 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Dyad, 1960-1970
    Michio Takayama
    Dyad, 1960-1970
    Oil on canvas
    49 x 49 inches
    124.5 x 124.5 cm
    Front bottom right
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Dyad, ca. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Dyad, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    57 x 51 inches
    144.8 x 129.5 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Emergence, 2022
    Michio Takayama
    Emergence, 2022
    oil on canvas
    20 x 20 inches
    50.8 x 50.8 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Etude, c. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Etude, c. 1970s
    oil and graphite on canvas
    18 x 20"
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Firebird, ca. c. 1960s -1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Firebird, ca. c. 1960s -1970s
    Oil on canvas
    21 x 18 inches
    53.3 x 45.7 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Flotsam, c. 1960s
    Michio Takayama
    Flotsam, c. 1960s
    oil on linen
    30 x 40 inches
    76.2 x 101.6 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Glory, ca. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Glory, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    50 x 44 inches
    127 x 111.8 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Glory #2
    Michio Takayama
    Glory #2
    oil on canvas
    28 ¼ x 23 ½ inches
    71.8 x 59.7 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Immensity in Blue, Unknown
    Michio Takayama
    Immensity in Blue, Unknown
    Oil on canvas
    50 x 100 inches
    127 x 254 cm
    signed bottom left
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Invielno, ca. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Invielno, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    16 x 37 inches
    40.6 x 94 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Joy Overflowing, 1979
    Michio Takayama
    Joy Overflowing, 1979
    Oil on canvas
    60 x 50 inches
    152.4 x 127 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Meditation #6
    Michio Takayama
    Meditation #6
    oil on canvas
    51 x 44"
    Sold
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    NM Landscape, c. 1990
    oil on canvas
    30 x 50 inches
    76.2 x 127 cm
    signed lower left
    Sold
  • abstract oil painting by Michio Takayama
    Michio Takayama
    Page of History IV, 1983
    oil on canvas
    50 x 60 inches
    127 x 152.4 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Serenity, Unknown
    Michio Takayama
    Serenity, Unknown
    Oil on linen
    13 x 9 1/2 inches
    33 x 24.1 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Serenity, Unknown
    Michio Takayama
    Serenity, Unknown
    Oil on canvas
    24 x 36 inches
    61 x 91.4 cm
    signed bottom left
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Sky Song Red, ca. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Sky Song Red, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    19 x 51 inches
    48.3 x 129.5 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Thunder Spirit - Awakening , Unknown
    Michio Takayama
    Thunder Spirit - Awakening , Unknown
    Oil on linen
    28 x 20 inches
    71.1 x 50.8 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Tree with Figure
    Michio Takayama
    Tree with Figure
    ink on paper
    14 x 10 inches
    35.6 x 25.4 cm
  • Michio Takayama, Unknown Fable, 1965
    Michio Takayama
    Unknown Fable, 1965
    Oil on canvas
    25 x 13 inches
    63.5 x 33 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Untitled, c. early 1960s
    Michio Takayama
    Untitled, c. early 1960s
    oil on canvas
    26 x 24 inches
    66 x 61 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Wedding of the Moon with the Mountains , 1963
    Michio Takayama
    Wedding of the Moon with the Mountains , 1963
    Oil on canvas
    40 x 22 inches
    101.6 x 55.9 cm
    Sold
  • Michio Takayama, Angel of Mars, ca. 1970s
    Michio Takayama
    Angel of Mars, ca. 1970s
    Oil on canvas
    46 3/4 x 34 3/4 inches
    118.7 x 88.3 cm
    Sold
Exhibitions