In Memory of Nobuo (1932 to 2025)

CSV is sad to learn that longtime CSV member, Nobuo ("Nobi") Kubota, a renowned visual and sound artist, has passed away at age 93.  He was making art and performed until his death.  Following a long hiatus, Nobi performed at CSV’s ‘Sounds Like the City’ exhibition in May, 2023. This Event inspired Nobi to find venues to continue performing.

His generosity, creativity and patience were inspirational. He was a role model for generations of artists, and will be greatly missed. Nobi was a significant contributor to the Canadian art world for more than 45 years. His artistic evolution spanned multiple decades and continents, and weaves together Eastern and Western influences. His art reflected his deep engagement with Zen Buddhism, Shintoism, and experimental practices. The fusion of these traditions is reflected in his visual art, and his innovative approach to sound and performance. His work is now held in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the National Film Board, among others.
Nobi received a Governor-General's Award in Visual and Media Art in 2009, and was awarded a Doctor of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa, from OCADU. His works were featured in many of Canada’s and Europe’s sound art festivals. He published two books.
Nobi's father, the last of a family of Samurai, came to Canada at the age of 16. He fought for Canada at Vimy Ridge during World War I, only to be interned with his family in B.C. during WW II. As a small child in the Slocan Valley, Nobi studied Japanese language/ phonetics, which later became the basis of his unique performance and sound art. Graduating from the University of Toronto with an Honours degree in architecture, Kubota left the profession after 10 years to become an artist.
A Buddhist, Nobi spent 14 months in Japan, studying to become a monk. He developed a personal style of Japanese calligraphy for his performances, and to construct his large, router paintings.
Nobi was a founding member of the Music Gallery in Toronto. He played with the Artists’ Jazz Band and the Canadian Creative Music Collective (CCMC), collaborating with Michael Snow, Casey Sokol, Paul Dutton and John Oswald. His amazing vocal techniques, particularly in sound poetry, were innovative and evocative.
In 2024, Nobi's performances and artwork were featured in major exhibitions at institutions such as Next Contemporary, MOCA, The Music Gallery, and OCADU, as well as a celebrated exhibition at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

CSV member Annette Mangaard's documentary’I AM THE ART NOBUO KUBOTA’ (this video is a segment from her film) will be screened Dec 7th 6:30 at The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. We also hope to screen this film in 2026. Stay tuned!

 28 October 2025