'On to the Beach' is a new exhibition of works by Byron Bay based American artist Rikki Kasso whose work is characterised by his fluid use of the traditional Japanese technique of Sumi ink. Using this ancient Japanese medium seems perfectly suited to depicting the relaxing atmosphere of beach scenes from this beautiful part of Australia as well as his new home in California.

After spending years in Byron Bay, Australia, Rikki Kasso is currently based on the West Coast of the United States. The self-taught art director, photographer and multi-disciplinary visual artist had left his native New York City for Tokyo in 2003 on an invite from VOGUE JAPAN to host a retrospective of his works at the Rocket Gallery, Omotesando. He then spend the next nine years in Shibuya, Tokyo, immersed in the unique and ancient Japanese culture which not only influenced his art making practices but permeated its way through his entire being.

Perhaps the greatest mark that Japanese culture made upon Kasso’s work was his discovery and appropriation of traditional Japanese Sumi ink and brush stroke techniques. Sumi ink is created using a method which has changed little over the last 2,000 years and its history is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism. Kasso fuses the western style of impressionist painting with the delicate accuracy of an asian calligrapher in a unique and contemporary adaptation.

'My works represent my fascination with; isolation in crowded environments, the subtleties of sexuality in humans and nature, and the pure sincerity of voyeuristic love. For me art is isolation, when we take something from its natural environment and put it on display, whether it’s a canvas from the studio or a flower from the field we define beauty in its isolation. At the same time isolation is an emotion or a feeling. Contemplating love is perceived as an isolating moment of blissful confusion.' Rikki Kasso