Shoji Kato (born 1969 in Japan) is in the doctoral studies programme of the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki. Kato makes drawings, large watercolours and tempera paintings, from which he removes the designs from the top layer of paint with a sharp knife. His works bear a distant resemblance to aerial photographs of architecture taken from a distance and from different directions. They do not, however, bear any testimony to reality, for they are entities created and composed solely by the artist himself that prove to be completely abstract upon closer observation. Kato's works are ethereal and charming, and there are endless things to see in them.
Discovered: In Gallery Huuto in Uudenmaankatu street in Helsinki.
The autumn season at Galerie Anhava begins with ”CONTEMPORARY NOW!" displaying works by five artists. It will present topical art of various kinds that is literally being made at the present moment by young, or not so old, artists of different countries and continents. They are all interesting and good artists in their own ways, and I am certain that we will hear more about them in the future.
Joseph L. James (born 1979 in the United States) is currently completing his Master of Arts degree at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki. James works with monochrome paper or multicoloured posters, drawing complex designs on the back of the paper and cutting out what is not needed. He then mounts these papercuts either individually or on top of each other to hang freely against a wall or stand, or in t...