Nick Lee's Through Our Nikkei Eyes
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time
- Wed, Jun 10, 2026 - Sat, Jul 18, 2026
Location
Akron Soul Train
191 S Main St
Details
Through Our Nikkei Eyes is a group exhibition curated by Nick Lee that brings together artists of Japanese descent from across the United States. Through painting, sculpture, animation, printmaking, and documentary, the exhibition explores the layered identities and lived experiences of Nikkei communities—Japanese and Japanese-descended individuals living outside Japan.
At its core, the exhibition challenges perceptions of visibility and belonging. Lee’s own portrait-based practice centers representation as a means of asserting presence, inviting viewers to engage with the complexity and individuality of each subject.
By presenting multiple artistic voices in dialogue, Through Our Nikkei Eyes expands the narrative of Japanese American identity while fostering connection, understanding, and cultural visibility within the broader community.
Featured Artists:
- Gwen Waight
- Joey Leppo
- Akira Maynard
- Matthew Hashiguchi
- Ritsuko Lee.
“As Western perceptions of Japanese people are often that they are "foreign" or "unknown," I use portraiture to assert my sitter's full personhood. My paintings invite the viewer into a world of vibrant color palettes and playful compositions, asking them to get to know the community I am depicting.”
– Nick Lee
