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END OF SUMMER: Cafe Talks with Studio Bang-Gu

END OF SUMMER: The Creativity of a New Generation Related Event

Join us for a retrospective on the design evolution of End Of Summer at the Bullseye Projects in the Pearl District.

When Matt Jay and Studio Bang-Gu first began conceptualizing End Of Summer in 2015, the artist residency program did not yet exist, and the idea was still in its infancy. Today, through the collaboration with Matt Jay and Studio Bang-Gu, the residency has firmly established itself within Portland’s art community, gaining international recognition for its innovative programming, esteemed artist alumni, and distinctive designs.

With a new partnership with the Japan Institute, End Of Summer embarks on an exciting new chapter.

In this in-depth presentation, Studio Bang-Gu’s Lucien Ng and Daisy Dalhae Lee will discuss the development of the End Of Summer branding alongside Matt Jay, showcasing how the design has evolved in tandem with the residency program over the years. They will also unveil the new visual identity for 2024.

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session and refreshments.

About the Presenters

Studio Bang-Gu is a collaborative design practice founded by Daisy Dalhae Lee & Lucien Ng in 2016. Engaged in ongoing partnerships in the fields of art & commerce, our work is fueled by a multifaceted influence of eastern and western sensibilities. With a combined background in design, motion, fashion and technology, our creative process is rooted in ideas first; unbounded by a singular discipline. We are obsessed by an interdisciplinary design approach that allows us to create contemporary and unconventional forms of expressions with our collaborators.

More About End Of Summer

End Of Summer (EOS) exists to build a dialogue between the U.S. and Japan through the Pacific Northwest and the expression of creative ideas. End Of Summer explores the art of Japan in an increasingly globalized society, reconsidering notions of East and West, center and periphery.

In its original format under the creative vision of Matt Jay, up to six Japanese artists were invited to participate in the program through an open call. The residency uses the setting of Portland, a city with deep cultural ties to Japan, a community-oriented ethos, and dynamic arts scene—a haven for creative exploration. Furthermore, the program emphasizes research-based experiences rather than a demand for artistic production.

Carrying the creed of the project manifested by its founder, End Of Summer is now continuing its mission within Japan Institute. End Of Summer and Japan Institute together are seeking to harness the traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge artistry of Japan already embedded in Portland Japanese Garden, supported by the vibrant and creative energy of the Pacific Northwest.

About Japan Institute

Japan Institute was established in 2022 as a programmatic arm of Portland Japanese Garden to provide a cultural intersection between the East and West through the shared appreciation of nature and creativity. This sibling organization allows the Garden to share and expand the arts and cultural programs beyond the Garden’s physical boundaries, deepening international partnerships with like-minded organizations, while continuing to engage diverse people in dialogues about creativity and connection to nature.


This program is presented by Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden and Art J Foundation in partnership with Bullseye Projects

For more information, please contact Yuki Wallen, the Matt Jay End Of Summer Program Manager, at ywallen@japanesegarden.org.

Portland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute share the mission: Inspiring Harmony & Peace