Izumi Kato

Born in 1969 in Shimane, Japan. Lives and works in Tokyo, Japan.

Izumi Kato is beloved for his enigmatic fetal figures that are a composite of human and animal. While these bipedal creatures with dark penetrating eyes seem to tap into the primitive psyche of humankind, they are also lovable, appealing to the viewer's emotions for the simple naiveté inherent in them. Such qualities are enhanced by the tactility of the surface of his works achieved by the artist using his own hands in lieu of paint brushes to apply paint.

This primitive method not only gives him more control over realizing his artistic vision, but it also grants physical closeness between him and his work. Kato's child-like figures are in part an embodiment of the artist's skepticism of and rebellion against the academic tradition that was taught to him at Tokyo's prestigious Musashino Art University where he studied oil painting. Kato leaves all of his works untitled to give agency to the viewers in freely interpreting the works.