First Three UN Secetary-General Portraits by Chotai Yonaha

Description: Over fifty years ago, in 1968, my friend Chotai Yonaha, painted portraits of the first three Secetary-Generals of the United Nations. Chotai had a deep appreciation of the United Nations and its mission for upholding human rights, fundamental freedoms for all and peace. He died in 2008 trusting that his artistic legacy would become a testimony to a meaningful and productive life. One lot of three portrait paintings: Trygve Lie, Dag Hammarskjold & U Thant Individual Portrait Details: Oil on Black Velvet Signed & Sealed by Chotai Yonaha ~ 1968 Framed Size: 33 3/8"W x 41 1/2"H Painting Size: 27"W x 35 1/2" H Consolidated Packing, Shipping & Insurance to US destinations: $320.00 Included is a photo of Chotai Yonaha with his firend, Richard Porcelli taken in Chotai's Okinawa studio. Chotai Yonaha was born in 1933, in Ishigaki, the economic fishing and farming center of Yaeymama Island, Ryukyu. The Ryukyu Islands are a chain of islands extending in an arc from Taiwan northward to Japan, with Okinawa being the largest island in this chain. Yonaha was a young boy of twelve living on Yaeymama Island when the Battle of Okinawa occurred in 1945. This battle was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War during World War II. The 82 day battle lasted from April 1st until June 22, 1945. The Allies invaded the Ryukyu Islands centering on Okinawa so they could use Okinawa as a base of air operations for the planned invasion of the Japanese home islands. Over 14,000 US/Allied troops and almost half the Okinawan population (150,000) died in this battle. After the end of WW-II, Okinawan farmland began to be appropriated by the US military for the construction of naval, marine, air force and army bases. Okinawa became a foothold for the US in Asia. After Japan and the US signed the Treaty of Peace in 1951, Okinawa became a territory of the United States. The increasing presence of US military bases brought military troops and their families to Okinawa. Yonaha migrated north seeking the prosperity that was developing in post WW-II Okinawa. He had a natural talent for art, was self taught and found he could trade his paintings for money to purchase food, clothing and shelter. The US control manifested in the US dollar as the official Ryukyu currency. Commerce brought prosperity to Okinawa. Yonaha began painting portraits of US servicemen and their families, but his deep love was painting portraits of older men and women that he respected as a youth. At that time, canvas was expensive while quality black velvet was readily available. Yonaha choose black velvet as his favored medium. The US continued to be stationed in Okinawa during the 1950's and 1960's, with US military bases and activity expanding on an ever increasing basis. Yonaha prospered and quickly found that the painting of local nude women were a favorite of the US military, and this provided him with a steady revenue stream. He painted using live models but also became very proficient at painting from color photographs. This lead him to paint on request portraits of famous people. Many such on request portraits were of US Military notables, US presidents, the Secretary Generals of the UN, Winston Churchill and even Playboy centerfolds. These works of art were exhibited in many prestigious galleries around the world including the Air Force Hall of Fame, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and art galleries in New York City, Paris and Honolulu. Yonaha's art was initially displayed and sold from the Rycom Art Gallery in the Awase Meadows Shopping Area, Koza City Okinawa. In 1969 Yonaha made his first and only trip to the US as the guest of his friend and art collector, Richard Porcelli. He visited many art galleries and museums. The highlight of his US sojourn was his visit to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington DC. He stood in awe viewing the great works of world art silently hoping that his art would someday receive museum recognition. He was well aware that there were no paintings using the medium of black velvet. Yonaha considered whether his velvet paintings would transcend the stigma between popular art and fine art. He selected the highest quality black velvet to survive the archival test of time. All of his work from the 1960's has maintained its original quality. Shortly after his return to Okinawa in 1969, the US and Japan came to an agreement for the return of the island of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty. The Japanese government encouraged Okinawans to improve the infrastructure on the island. Additionally, Okinawa's tourist industry began to market the natural resources of the island, including the beautiful beaches, coral reefs and mangroves. These natural resources rival those of Hawaii and continue to draw tourists from across the globe. Yonaha's art became a bridge between the aging population of papa and mamasans that were so important to him growing up. In 1971 along with another artist, Shimura, he received formal recognition in an exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum. That same year he received the Newcomer Award at the New Art Association Exhibition of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. A year later in 1972, the US occupation of the Ryukyu Islands ended and Okinawa formally rejoined Japan. Yonaha's art began to highlight the rich history of the Ryukyu Islands and its architecture and cultural heritage. He continued painting on black velvet but also began works on canvas. In 1977, he received the Chairman's Gold Prize in the Okinawa Prefecture Industry Design Competition. Nine years later in 1986, Yonaha was again recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum winning the coveted "Korin Award." The following year his popularity increased with a solo art show and expanded internationally with his award of the Grand Prize at the Shinsei Art Exhibition. His art work became recognized throughout the 1990's receiving many awards and prizes. Yonaha's concentration continued to focus on subjects of Okinawa and Japanese heritage. In 1996, Yonaha was privileged to have his painting of the historic Shuri Castle incorporated on a Japanese Okinawa prefecture postage stamp. Yonaha rose from his very humble beginnings to become a noteworthy, internationally recognized artist. He received a "Best Artist" Award and the 21st Century World Art Appreciation Award before his passing in 2008.

Price: 18000 USD

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina

End Time: 2025-02-10T22:38:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 320 USD