The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present I’m a Part of Nature, a solo exhibition by Keiji Ichikawa, on display at the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia Branch (23743 Valencia Boulevard) now through Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on humanity’s deep connection to the natural world through expressive, color-driven paintings inspired by lived experience and observation.
I’m a Part of Nature features a series of recent acrylic works that interpret real landscapes through emotion, memory and sensory perception rather than literal realism. Ichikawa’s paintings are rooted in the belief that humans do not own nature, but belong to it—a philosophy shaped by his childhood in Tokyo during a period of heavy pollution and reinforced through a lifetime of travel and artistic exploration. Drawing from sketches and photographs, Ichikawa allows color, intuition and his “six senses” to guide each composition, resulting in works that balance structure with abstraction.
Born in Japan and later living in Paris before settling in Southern California, Ichikawa brings a global perspective to his practice. Influenced by his parents’ work as traditional kimono artisans, he uses a limited palette of primary colors to build layered, expressive scenes. Often including a small, painted self-figure within each work, Ichikawa invites viewers into the space of the painting, encouraging contemplation and personal connection.
The photograph attached to this press release is titled “Oak Tree at Cheeseboro Park” by Keiji Ichikawa. To learn more about I’m a Part of Nature and upcoming art opportunities with the City of Santa Clarita, please visit SantaClaritaArts.com or contact Garrett Fagan at ArtistCall@santa-clarita.com.
