Yoshiko Sunahara is a sculptor, ceramicist, and mixed media artist. With many international exhibitions, and public commissions utilizing large-scale cast bronze and ceramic sculpture in her earlier portfolio, Yoshiko’s current work employs mixed media medallic sculpture in the form of ‘hand-held’ sculptures. Yoshiko’s work reflects a deep concern over environmental and social issues, voicing protest as well as bearing witness to humanity’s devastating effect on the planet.
Born in Tokyo, Yoshiko Sunahara graduated from Musashino Art University in 1964. Afterwards, Yoshiko began working as a specialist art teacher for the Tokyo Board of Education. While enjoying a number of years working with children, she astounded everyone by resigning her hard-earned teaching position to pursue the next stage of her career as sculptor by traveling to the USA and Canada. Yoshiko proudly became a Canadian citizen in 1971. Freed from the more traditional expectations of Japanese society, she was able to continue working as an artist while being married. She went on to teach sculpture at Centennial College, Toronto, at the same time raising a family. Yoshiko was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, becoming an academician in 2000.?
Affiliations: Royal Canadian Academy, Fédération Internationale de la Médaille d’Art (FIDEM), Medallic Art Society of Canada, and Society of Canadian Artists.
