Born in Japan to Chinese parents and raised in the US, Jave Yoshimoto weaves current events and social issues in his artwork, which explores the convergence of tradition and contemporary society. His gouache paintings infuse traditional Japanese prints with depictions of recent disasters. Using a graphic style resembling manga, his stunning, colorful images poignantly illustrate natural and humanmade destruction and the emotion often associated with media coverage of such global concerns. Yoshimoto often embeds Godzilla into his work, which he sees as himself, powerlessly witnessing the unfolding disaster and helpless to assist. 

An assistant professor of art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Yoshimoto has worked as an art therapist/mental health professional in Chicago; a teacher serving diverse ethnic populations; and an artist-in-residence at artist colonies across the US. 

Programs at the Giertz Gallery are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.