Yuko Nii at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center (2006)
Born
1942 (age 81–82)
Occupation(s)
Artist, philanthropist
Years active
1969-present
Yuko Nii (born 1942) is a Japanese artist and philanthropist. Her work has included painting, printmaking, graphic design, stage set, costume and fashion design.[1] She has written journalism, poetry, fiction, essays and philosophy, and published two books. She also runs the non-profit organization Yuko Nii Foundation.[2]
In 2008, she launched the non-profit Yuko Nii Foundation to hold, maintain and preserve contemporary art and historical artifacts and properties, including the landmark building, which Yuko Nii purchased in 1996 and later donated to the Yuko Nii Foundation in 2008.[1][2] The collection includes many Japanese art pieces from the 16th through the 20th century.[6] Some of the artists include Ilya Bolotowsky, Jerry Rudquist, Ansei Uchima, Toshiko Uchima, Judy Chicago, Faith Ringgold, Toshiko Takaezu, Yoko Ono, Yayoi Kusama, Terrance Lindall, Doug Buebe, Beatrice Coron, Kenichi Nakajima, Charles Compo, and as well as her own artworks.[7]
Honors and awards
In 1998, Howard Golden, then Brooklyn borough president, named Nii Brooklyn’s Women of the Year.[1][8] In 2001, Governor George Pataki named Nii a "Woman of Excellence, Vision and Courage."[9]
Bibliography
Blue Eyed Satori. Terrance R. Lindall, Yuko Nii, 1970 [10]