Applying a theme of "darkness and light lurking in the everyday life", Risa Sato has presented her woks with various styles, from painting, drawing, installation, perfomance, to huge sculptures of over 5 m size, shown at AICHI Expo in 2005. For recent 10 years, particularly, she has continuously produced works named "Kohachi" series, which uses its central motif of Sato's imaginary creature "Kohachi", softly and smoothly drawn, round figure. After 5 years break from her last solo show, this exhibition unfolds a story that "Kohachi" creatures will meet with an end in the sun at the journey's ends, with about 20 pieces of drawing and installation of clay-sculptures. Drawn with simple lines, "Kohachi" plays around in a small story in each work. Although it always wears a straight face, in the back of the expressionlessness, "Kohachi" actually has immeasurable fierceness inside of it. Standing in the light (life) and staring the darkness (death) lurking in everyday life alone and quietly, "Kohachi" suggests us how the story goes with its blank face. Furthermore, "Kohachi's grave" maquette will be installed in this show. In her practice, Risa Sato has put great importance in the process itself of making her art works how they can be realised through the communication and cooperation, from the very beginning of the planning of maquette to the completion of works. In this sense, this exhibition can be considered as the place for the artist to present/reveal how she has carried her production stage further to realise Kohachi's grave for the viewers to see. On the other hand, it can be also said that this show lays the foundation for her future practice along with the ideal of art works to be "quiet but magnificent public art melting into our life like graves or ancient tumulus. In 2008, Sato experienced residency program in Paris with support of Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists. After having fruitful time to rivet her works there, Risa Sato will bravely go back to her starting point and show simple but strong-willed works of "Kohachi" series in this exhibition at FOIL GALLERY. Risa Sato Profile:
Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1972. Graduated from MFA Design, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1999. official web site http://www.risacan.com/ * The text provided by FOIL GALLERY.