Gerald with his award-winning portrait of Setsuko which adorns the cover of their book
Last night I attended a book launch and lecture for Gerald and Setsuko Lazare’s amazing new publication “East Meets West.” The Japan foundation is the perfect setting for an event like this – central and elegant in design and ambiance. As we strolled from Lettieri in chi-chi Yorkville to the venue, we were greeted with brass-buttoned ‘guards’ outside the Cartier shop – and we joked about the 50% off sale inside and proceeded to the Japan Foundation.
The event turned out to be a sweet lecture and talk that was nicely informal at times, as both Gerald and his wife and creative partner, Setsuko discussed their lives in the art world and their real life day to day routine in Toronto. Their story is of two people from divergent cultures finding something in common and falling in love and as they related anecdotes from their work and travels I was caught up in the romance and strong artistic vision the couple possess. Gerald was easy-going and humorous while Setsuko was tender, relating stories like the one of the inspiration for her to place her deceased sisters together in a lovely ‘parlour room’ portrait. Most of their art is in the style of 19th century European art like Sergeant.
After their 30 min talk, with a nice accompaniment of slides, the couple entertained questions from the audience. A couple of questions challenged the artists and their work – why paint a kimono without its customary wrap or components? where is the intersection of east and west in the art? It was interesting to hear the responses. In the end, the artwork is what it is – not a merger of styles but a portrait of two cultures and two people from two cultures – Gerald especially admitting his take on “‘oriental art” was not meant to be accurate or true – but indeed a foreigner’s take and one containing appreciation and respect. It was an entertaining and thought-provoking launch for a book that is full of amazing paintings (and the Lazare’s story in a bilingual text).
Look for their exhibit in May at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto!
