A Multidisciplinary Visionary
Roy Kenzie Kiyooka was a Canadian painter, poet, photographer, sculptor, and artist. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, he was a Nisei, or a second-generation Japanese Canadian. His family moved to Opal, Alberta, in 1942. Throughout his diverse career, he served as an arts teacher at the Regina College of Art, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
His artistic practice evolved significantly over the decades. While he engaged in painting and sculpture, he eventually shifted his focus toward photography and filmmaking. His creative output extended into literature, including works such as Transcanada Letters and Pear Tree Pomes, the latter of which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award.
Artistic Works and Recognition
Kiyooka's body of work spans various media and forms. His notable contributions include:
In 1975, the Vancouver Art Gallery organized a twenty-five-year retrospective of his work. His contributions to Canadian culture were further recognized when he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
