Izumi Kato at Charleston

Known for his vividly coloured, enigmatic creatures that are as fascinating as they are strange, Kato's works embody universal human forms that often dissolve into the amorphic. Bringing together large and small-scale paintings, sculptures as well as an outdoor installation in the walled garden, Kato transforms Charleston's South Gallery into an imaginative realm. Kato paints intuitively, often applying pigment directly to the canvas with his hands to maintain direct and precise control over his medium. Meanwhile, his sculptural work incorporates diverse materials, such as textiles, wood, and stone, which are carved, stitched, and collaged into artworks. He sees his sculptural practice as a way to deepen and challenge his understanding of what constitutes a painting Kato’s artistic practice resonates with the experimental approach of the Bloomsbury group and draws connections to his influences – post-impressionism, Van Gogh, and Japanese ukiyo-e prints.