Interview
Eri Kato
Eri Kato was born and raised in Aichi, Japan in 1967. She completed the B Semi Schooling System in Kanagawa, Japan.
In 1995, Eri had the first showing of her works during the Hakushu Art Festival, Yamanashi. This was a solo exhibition at Gallery Miyu in Tokyo.
Since then, Eri has been part of several art exhibitions and competitions, and has received several art awards such as the winner of the Japan Antinuclear Exhibition, Berlin, 2013. Eri also has a permanent sculpture at Ida Branch Office of Okazaki Shinkin Bank, Aichi.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I grew up in a typical Japanese house that was about 100 years old, where I lived with my extended family and the animals. There were a lot of beautiful nature spots, and I often played in the astragalus sinicus field and the bamboo forest. My creativity and my imagination were ignited by my daily life.
As a child, I was taught to handle things with great care. But as time went by, Japan became a real consumer's society with cheaply made products. As a result, some things disappeared from our lives. I felt a strong sense of incongruity.
While in university, I visited the art museums in New York - a visit that really inspired me. I started to learn oil painting. I felt the joy of expressing myself freely, and I became hooked to the art world. When I was 25, I went to B Semi Schooling System to seek an art education. The artists there were active in the field of contemporary art. My two years at this institution opened up a new and exciting world that I knew nothing of. It transformed my previous concept of art. That led to me making artworks for 3 years. However, I had to quit creating art because of changing my environment. This slump lasted for 15 years.
In 2011, there was The Great East Japan Earthquake. This is what challenged me to get back to making art again. The curved pieces shown below are debris from the earthquake.”
What inspires you most?
“I am inspired by many things. I am inspired by the things which are not necessarily connected with art, but are connected to the current moment.”
How would you describe your work?
“My works are abstract art. I mostly utilize discarded materials such as used cardboard boxes, and materials that are made from paper and wood. I get a lot of inspiration from their texture, form, and color. I use tools which are used in our daily life, such as scissors or glue, a needle or just my hands. As much as possible, I try to create my art in a simple, primitive way. Creation is always an experiment, and it involves trials and errors.”
“My task as an artist is to reconstruct the things which have become unnecessary in daily life, and create new value out of those things.
I take away a stereotype and question what I can make from that available source.”
Which artists influence you most?
“There are many artists that have influenced me. However, it was Noriyuki Haraguchi who had the greatest influence on me. I attended his classes in my B Semi school days.”
What is your creative process like?
“I stand face to face with the materials. Using my five senses, I choose the things that caught my eye, and touch the materials with my hands. Prolonged touching of the materials inspires me greatly. I think about the relationship between myself and the material. Then, I create a work of art while talking to myself.”
“The artist makes our daily life fuller and richer.
They bring to light invisible things, and so alter peoples' perspective.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had many exhibitions, as shown below:
2021:
‘Limitless’, an online art competition exhibition at Florence Contemporary Gallery, Italy.
‘DelicARTessen’, a group show at galeria esther montoriol, Barcelona.
‘Far But Close’, an online art competition exhibition at Florence Contemporary Gallery, Italy.
Group exhibition at Kyokusho Museum, Gifu
‘Rebirth’, an online art competition exhibition at Florence Contemporary Gallery, Italy.2020:
4th Place in ‘Art United’, an online exhibition, New York.
‘Papier Skulptural’ at VfaKR, Oberhausen.
The 6th Small Sized Art Work Exhibition, an online event at Aria Gallery, Iran.2019:
34th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition Exhibition, New York.Premier Art Award finalists exhibition, London.
2018:
Artist in Residence EWAAC, England.
EWAAC International exchange exhibition, London.
Red Dot Miami.2017:
Permanent Sculpture at Ida Branch Office of Okazaki Shinkin Bank, Aichi.2015-2017:
EWAAC finalists exhibition, London.”2011,2013-2018,2020,2021:
Solo exhibition at Heart Field Gallery, Aichi
Website: www.eri-kato.jimdosite.com
Instagram: @erikato_art
