Wonder Docent Presents In the Night Dimension and Those You Meet at Twilight: Paintings and Sculptures by Jon Hioki
6/11/26
Strange beings lurk in pixelated places, eyes peep from dark spaces, and seemingly random objects confront curious travelers. These are the dreamscapes that visitors will encounter in artist Jon Hioki’s new exhibition, In the Night Dimension and Those You Meet at Twilight, opening June 20th at Wonder Docent. The show, which features original paintings and sculptures, will be on display at the downtown Nevada City art supply store through August 16th.
Exploring the places between the veils of existence and those who inhabit them, Hioki’s work takes the viewer on a trip through the artist’s psyche, where alienation and curiosity collide in candy-colored post-apocalyptic settings.
Born and raised in San Jose, Hioki has been making art since childhood. After spending his teenage years in Nevada City, he returned to the Bay Area to study graphic design at the California College of Arts. Looking for a change of scenery, Hioki returned to Nevada County in 2023 and almost immediately began showing his work locally, including in group shows at the Center for the Arts’ Granucci Gallery and Nevada City’s CHAMP Gallery, and a solo show at Winnie Superette in Nevada City.
“We have been fans and collectors of Jon’s work for many years,” said Wonder Docent co-owner Heather Heckler. “I’m only half-joking when I say that we opened this shop so that we could show and sell his art.”
Hioki designed Wonder Docent’s logo and his work has been available in the shop since it opened last year. “Some of our best-selling stickers were designed by Jon. He is one of our best friends and favorite collaborators,” said Heckler.
In the Night Dimension and Those You Meet at Twilight focuses on Hioki’s fine art work, with new original paintings and sculptures, many of which were created as part of a residency at Wonder Docent’s offsite studio space on Loma Rica Drive.
“Part of our mission is to provide support and assistance to up-and-coming local artists. In this case, Jon needed space to spread out and make a mess, and we were able to provide that,” Heckler said.
While maintaining his unique style and visual motifs, Hioki’s work has become much more personal over the years. Mysterious figures, objects, patterns, and landscapes have become representations of memories, anxieties, and the world the artist sees around him. While his work is primarily in drawing and painting, he is always experimenting with new explorations in form, and has recently begun working with wood to create sculptures.
“We have been sneaking peeks at the work as it comes together, and we’re really excited to show it off in our space,” Heckler noted.
Wonder Docent will host an opening reception for In the Night Dimension and Those You Meet at Twilight on Saturday, June 20th from 6 to 8 pm. The shop is located at 230 Broad Street in downtown Nevada City. The show runs from June 20th through August 16, 2026.
