Bradley Koki has always been fascinated with the Eastern calligraphic line and the strength, energy and spontaneity communicated by each stroke.  He is intrigued by the fact that many of these same elements can be found in western art’s post WWII Abstract Expressionism.  “I try to synthesize these two approaches in my paintings and present calligraphy in a more contemporary context,” he says. “The calligraphy in my art holds no literal meaning and they are not authentic characters.  They are simply marks to make the whole piece work.  I say, ‘If it works, it works.’”

Koki says he has always been compelled by a strong desire to paint.  He has been painting since he was in grade school.  He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and completed post-graduate work in Education at the University of Hawaii and University of Maryland.  In addition to fostering his own creative pursuits, he began introducing and teaching art to the students at St. Andrew’s Priory in 1976.  In 1995, he returned to his high school alma mater to teach art at Maryknoll School.  He currently teaches 9th – 12th grade artists at the school.

Over the past 20 years, his works have been exhibited in over 50 juried and invited shows and in two solo exhibitions.  Koki has had 7 appearances in the Honolulu Academy of Arts “Artists of Hawaii” the Academy’s annual juried exhibition of contemporary art in Hawaii.  He is a three-time recipient of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Acquisition Awards in 1985, 1987 and 2005.  His works have been included in collections for the State of Hawaii, HMSA, Citibank International, St. Andrews Priory and Hemmeter Center.