Tomohiro KatoBiographyworksPR(pdf) “LIFe IS STEEL FULL !”
open : May. 25 fri - June. 16 sat, 11:00 - 19:00 / closed : sun + mon
* opening reception ; May. 26 sat 18:00 〜 / throw a tea party @ tea room by kato
* closing party ; Jun. 16 sat. 18:00 @ TEZUKAYAMA GALLERY
Tomohiro Kato was born in Tokyo in 1981 and completed a MA course from
the Tama Art University, after completion of the course, he started a career as
an artist whilst working at a metal processing company in order to improve his
skill working with metals. He is keen to use steel on his projects, constantly
looking to challenge the perceptions and also to find new potential while working
with this material.
Kato creates unconventional works revolving around steel. Either by framing a
steel canvas or creating sculptures that mimic mass produced items such as a light bulb or a paintbrush, steel is his material of choice. He also dabs in
performing arts, wearing a steel made tie with business suit whilst travelling
unconcernedly on rush hour train in Tokyo, or posting a steel made postcard to
any buyer of his work, it’s simply stamped and sent by mail. All his works
showcase “steel” and what it means for him as he sharply puts up a question
to us about “material” or “material and society”.
In his first solo exhibition at Tezukayama gallery, Tomohiro Kato will try to recreate
a quintessential part of Japanese traditional culture, the tea ceremony.
Since witnessing the terrible Tohoku earthquake and its impact on society, Kato
has become more conscious of Japan where he is from. The devastating
earthquake actually brought back a new interest in traditional culture for Kato
as he went back to study metalwork at the university that he deliberately kept
away from after graduating.
In this exhibition, Kato will build a steel made tea room at the gallery space
including, "tokonoma (alcove), kakejiku (hanging scroll), a tea-set and even
flower arrangements, all made of steel. All tea sets and furniture items at
a tea-room are traditional crafts and make up the essential elements for a
traditional tea-room. During the tea ceremony, the tea room is a condensed
universal spiral and a moment there should be perpetuity.
The title of the exhibition "LIFe IS STEEL FULL !" literally comes from Kato's life
around steel, but also tries to give the audience an understanding of the exhibition.
Picture yourself in a tea room where all the soil, trees and bamboo is replaced
by steel. A view into the future perhaps? At the opening reception on the 26th
of May, we will throw a tea party using a steel tea set by Kato.
At the opening reception(26th May 18:00~), we will invite SOWARYU Sado Shihan
(tea master) Mr.Soko Udagawa who will serve(Teicha)
with the exhited works by
Kato. (view↓)
Looking forward to seeing you at Tezukayama Gallery!
