Profile
Born in Shimane, in 1969. Graduated from the Tama Arts university
Kato’s paintings and sculptures feature ‘primitive’ looking creatures that resemble babies or creatures floating in amniotic fluid, stripped of nationality, race, and age.
Sometimes expressed in uncertain colours with no clear boundaries, sometimes in dazzlingly bright colours, they may evoke weirdness, cuteness, emptiness or violence, as they explore the relationships of human interaction.
Kato’s organisms have such an endearing quality they capture their observer like a mirror and make them realise that humans are creatures of reason as well as instinct.
Although they draw from primitive imagery, Kato’s works of art exist on their own terms and in their own spheres of reference and are positioned firmly at the cutting edge of contemporary art.
2011
"The View from After", COMME des GARCONS OSAKA (Six), Osaka,Japan
"Paintings and Sculptures", ARATANIURANO, Tokyo, Japan
2010
"Journeying into Each Day", The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Kanagawa, Japan
"SOUL UNION", ARATANIURANO, Tokyo, Japan
2008
"The Riverhead", The Ueno Royal Museum Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2007
"Dear Humans", ARATANIURANO, Tokyo
"MOKU", Takahashi Collection, Tokyo
2006
Murata & Friends, Berlin
2005
"HADAKA NO HITO", SCAI THE BATHHOUSE, Tokyo
Galleria Astuni, Pietrasanta, Italy
2004
"αM PROJECT Vol.5", ASK? art space kimura, Tokyo
Murata & Friends, Berlin
2003
Ai Gallery, Tokyo
"Drawings 1996-2003", 23GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan
2002
Galleria Chimera, Tokyo, Japan
2001
"Criterium46", Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
Murata & Friends, Berlin
"Focusing on a New Generation in Japan", Ai Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2000
Ai Gallery, Tokyo
23GALLERY, Tokyo
1999
IBM-KAWASAKI City Gallery, Kanagawa, Japan
1996
GALLERY LE DECO, Tokyo (’97, ’98), Japan
1995
Ai Gallery, Tokyo