Bartosz Beda and Nishiki Sugawara met opening night at an exposition at Centrespace Gallery in Bristol, England. Nishiki asked the curator if any of the other artists arrived early, as she did, and was pointed toward Bartosz. They talked most of the night, gravitating back to each other after brief stints of conversation elsewhere. Those in attendance understood before they realized themselves, love sparked that night.
A strong friendship formed and Skype became their method of communication. Nishiki, having already completed her MFA at Indiana University, had worked as an assistant professor at the University of Toledo and at the University of North Dakota. Their online conversations began as she discussed his art, then their talks turned personal.
Their individual lives were demanding. Bartosz, a Towry Award winner for the Best of the North of England, completed an MFA at the Manchester Metropolitan University, won a scholarship to Dresden Academy of Arts, and took part in numerous exhibits. Nishiki was busy seeking a more permanent teaching position with a university and interviewed at several locations. Overwhelmed with opportunities and decisions that would shape their future, they still found time for each other via the Internet.
A break in schedules allowed Nishiki her first vacation in years. She decided to visit her friends in Europe. Bartosz was the first stop. Her flight was too early for transportation from his home, so Bartosz slept a night in his studio. He was right there to greet Nishiki to the UK, and an intended day together turned into a four-day road trip. He also rejoined her for the last days of her journey.
Nishiki accepted a position as assistant professor with the University of Idaho. Two months after their European holiday, Bartosz flew out to visit Nishiki in the Inland Northwest and, they joke, he“ never left.” Together they have made a life and family in Moscow, Idaho.“ I can send artwork from anywhere,” he says. The Internet has made it possible for artists to live their dreams from any corner of the world they hang their hat.
ARTIST NISHIKI SUGAWARA-BEDA
Born and raised in Japan, Nishiki Sugawara-Beda immigrated to the US as a young adult. She creates art works that deal with the examination of various cultures. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions as well as numerous group shows, at national and international level. She has been shortlisted for various art competitions, including the Door Prize( Bristol, England), Paint Like You Mean It( Edinburgh, Scotland), ArtGemini Prize( London, England), and 7th National Juried Exhibition at Prince Street Gallery( New York). Her work has been published in the 87th issue of New American Paintings, Fresh Paint Magazine, and Expose Art Magazine: Special Edition. She graduated from Portland State University with a BA, and earned her MFA in Painting at Indiana University. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho, USA.
ARTIST BARTOSZ BEDA
Born in Poland in 1984, Bartosz Beda relocated to the UK in 2008. After graduating with a MA in Fine Art in 2011, he was selected for the 2012 Catlin Art Guide as one of the most promising emerging artists in the UK. In 2012, Beda was short-listed for Saatchi New Sensations, and won the esteemed Towry Award for the Best of North of England as well as a six-month scholarship to Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden, Germany. Beda had solo exhibitions at Galleria Liebre, Spain( 2013), BAC Gallery, Colombia( 2015), Jackson-Teed, England( 2016), and received a fellowship from Fondazione per l’ Arte in Rome, Italy in 2016.
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