Oil on canvas

72×59.5cm. 28 3/8 × 23 3/8 in.

Dated with information, Signed in English and Japanese on the reverse
EXHIBITED
9 Apr – 7 May 2005, Nude- Izumi Kato Exhibition, SCAI the Bathhouse, Tokyo

PROVENANCE
SCAI the Bathhouse, Tokyo
Meredith Palmer Gallery, New York
30 Jun 2008, Phillips London Auctions, Lot 536
Acquired directly by previous Asian collector from the above
Private Collection, Asia

Note: A label from Meredith Palmer Gallery New York is affixed on the reverse

Aloof Beyond the Desire, Sincerely Catching the Rye

Izumi Kato was born in Shimane ken, Japan, in 1969. He graduated in Musashino Art University and decided to become a professional artist at the age of 30. The character of his artwork has its significance – all the figures look androgenous with long and slim limbs, possessing a direct and passionate power from the aboriginal land. These figures look like they are sprouting from the soil as plants and are ever-growing, giving the audience a strong impression of connection between earth and the life rooting in it. In 2007, Kato was invited to participate in the special exhibition of Venice Biennale, “Think with sensibility, Feel with heart”. He has held personal exhibitions in Red-Brick Art Gallery, The Hakone Open-Air Museum and The Ueno Royal Museum, etc. His artwork is collected by Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo), Long Museum (Shanghai), Red-Brick Art Gallery (Beijing) and Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts (Hong Kong). “Untitled”, finished in 2004, is one of the rare collectables in the art market that is done within the early career age of Kato, which endorses its value of attention.

The River of Time: From Birth to Sprouts

“Untitled” uses black, blue and white as the three main colours to depict three embryos of a baby shape that are wrapped in a thin transparent layer of film. Among them, the blue baby on the right is the most mature, with her arms and legs expanded and face with ears clear to be observed. The left two bodies, on the other hand, are still in the process of development. The one on the top has the limbs gradually expand with the white flesh growing out of the black background. Beneath it, the youngest little soul that has just fallen into the embryo is still struggling towards the top in the turbid fluid. The stretched long film of the embryo resembles the river of time, as well as a nameless timeline, allowing every lifeform to stand on the assigned scale to fulfill its responsibility.

A Visitor from the Above, the Multiple Forms of Life

If compare with his recent artwork, it is seen that Kato's early creation emphasizes the conception of space, allowing the audience a grander room of imagination. In “Untitled”, standing on top of the ivory background is the lifeform that is designed by the artist with the contrast of slim and round shapes on the two sides. The object shows the nature of life – from barren to luxury; from single to variety – the ultimate meaning of being living is to participate and demonstrate its prosperity and specialty. The three infants in the painting are just like three visitors from somewhere afar in the universe, giving the audience a visual impression of being untouchable.

Price estimate:
HKD: 320,000 – 450,000
USD: 41,300 – 58,000

Auction Result:
HKD: --