Ted Tokio Tanaka
Ted Tokio Tanaka was born in Tokyo and came to the US with his family as a teenager. Studying architecture at Arizona State University, and in close contact with both Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, and Paolo Soleri's Cosanti, Tanaka moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of his professional career.
Tanaka and his eponymous architectural firm designed dozens of residential and commercial projects in Los Angeles, Japan, and Europe, and oversaw the redesign of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with its now iconic sign, and lighted electronic pylons. He was also tasked with the design components surrounding the many Metro stations which are transforming Los Angeles transportation.
Tanaka makes art from his studio in Ofunato, Japan.
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Stars and Butterflies”, Washi paper, metallic plastic on maple plywood, 26 x 72 in, 2023. — SOLD
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Hearts”, Washi paper, metallic plastic on maple plywood, 2023 — SOLD.
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Ofunato Fire”, iPad, 2025.
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Untitled”, acrylic on paper, 2023.
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Untitled”, acrylic on paper, 2023.
Ted Tokio Tanaka, “Untitled”, gouache on paper, 65 ½ inches x 5 inches, 2015.
STUDIO, 370X350 acrylic & gouache. Summer, 2019
PYRAMIDS, 420x430 acrylic & gouache. Summer, 2019
PACIFIC- 360x400 gouache. Spring, 2019
ARC, 425 x 425 acrylic & gouache - Winter, 2020
BEL AIR, 600x450 gouache. Fall, 2019
VENICE, 460x610 gouache. Spring, 2019
SHIP, 380x350 gouache. Spring, 2019
4X4, 250 x 430 watercolor. Fall, 2018 - SOLD
BOULEVARD, 590x530 acrylic & gouache. Winter, 2019
SYNTHESIS, 360x270 acrylic & gouache. Summer, 2020.
DECUSSATE, 360x270 acrylic & gouache. Summer, 2020.
The drawings presented below were created at a time Tanaka was musing on the LAX project ahead of the 2000 Olympics and speak to his love for architectural minimalism.
