Izumi Kato is showcasing his second Hong Kong solo exhibition at Galerie Perrotin, showcasing his new works after a gap of four years. During the period, the artist set up a coastal studio near a long strip of a reclaimed landfill that immensely inspired the artist.The works on display is a consolidation of almost two years of Kato’s artistic practice, with new materials incorporated into the creation. This latest untitled series utilizes irregularly shaped granite pieces selected from the shore of the artist’s coastal studio.For the series, the artist selected the shape and pattern of the unchiseled granite and then developed the color palette for the specific piece, making it a first for materials to be brought into the creative process of art, not for its functional use, but rather, for its natural aesthetics.A selection of his drawings is also placed in vintage frames that were collected by the artist from various sources at various times.Izumi Kato creates his art solely with his fingers wearing rubber gloves, or with a spatula at times. His sculptures, however, are painted with brushes. Unlike previously used natural material, like tree trunks that were chopped and carved to create art or soft vinyl that was molded to beauty, granite stands out as the only medium used in painting, where no masonry work is involved.And while the exhibit shows the use of granite for the first time in Kato’s works, it will also have a series of recently composed paintings in new configurations, consisting of a few panels. In these works, the figure, which has been the subject of Kato’s paintings for the past 20 years, is pruned.The show also introduces a series of Kato's drawings, where color pencil lines are replaced with sewing threads, thus creating more depth and an additional “dimension.” The three-dimensional “pencil line” not only enriches the image but also suggests movement.Throughout all his works presented at this exhibition, Kato explores the possibility of new mediums, as well as the relationship between the material and object. This blend incites unique visual illustrations and paves ways for a myriad of opportunities.The exhibition will be on view through March 17, 2018, at Galerie Perrotin, 50 Connaught Road Central, 17th Floor - Hong Kong.For details, visit: http://www.blouinartinfo.com/galleryguide/galerie-perrotin/overviewClick on the slideshow for a sneak peek at the exhibition.
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