Ryo Kato born in 1978 in Nimi, is a Japanese artist based in Berlin , whose early life was heavily influenced by traditional Japanese culture. Initially pressured to follow the path his father set for him, he trained in the complex strategy game Go, a decision that took him to Tokyo at a young age. Despite dedicating himself to Go, Kato harbored a hidden passion for art, often drawing in secret. This internal conflict led to feelings of guilt towards his parents, who invested heavily in his Go training, highlighting the tension between familial expectations and personal aspirations.
A pivotal moment occurred when Kato discovered the works of Claude Monet, sparking a profound connection with impressionist landscape painting. This encounter ignited a burning desire to become an artist, leading him to break away from his Go training and embrace a new path. He also felt liberated from the pressure from his family to focus on Go, which restricted his creativity and imagination. The rigour of GO training influence his practice even to this day.
Witnessing environmental destruction in his home village deeply impacted Kato, transforming his artistic focus. He now channels his creativity to address ecological concerns and promote reflection on humanity's relationship with nature. He believes that he can contribute to a world where individuals can decide for themselves how to help with environmental protection. He describes his work as a journey of exploration, characterized by vivid colors, constant movement, and the possibility of new discoveries, reflecting his commitment to both artistic expression and environmental awareness.
Ryo Kato is an internationally active artist and a Meisterschüler (Master Student) of Daniel Richter. In 2006, he completed his studies at the University of the Arts Berlin (UdK). Since 1998, he has been living and working in Berlin.
His art is exhibited both nationally and internationally in galleries, museums, and at art fairs. Some of his works are part of public museum collections. In 2013, he received the Förderpreis (Promotion Prize) of the Darmstädter Sezession, and in 2012, he was awarded the first I-Shi Prize in Japan. Last year, he was discovered by the renowned art collector Asher Edelman from New York and has since received his support.