NYAB Event - Kenjiro Kitade “Selected Works”

Kenjiro Kitade “Selected Works”

Ivy Brown Gallery

This event has ended.

Ivy Brown Gallery presents “Selected Works” by Kenjiro Kitade. Kitade’s work is a compelling combination of real life issues expressed with the traditional medium of clay. Using a combination of modern detailing and colorful glazes, Kitade explores traditional figures and symbols bringing a fresh and modern interpretation to them. Coining the phrase “Sheepeople” for his works that have human bodies with sheep heads, Kitade explores our most basic beliefs’ with a sense of purpose sprinkled with a sense of humor.

“From natural cold earth to gleaming high-fire surfaces, clay is the ancient anatomic medium. It is the medium in which time stands still, ideas are frozen, and yet a civilization is represented for all eternity. By working in clay, I have been able to explore significant issues about our antonymic existence, as Selves that can only be defined by the presence of the other.

My artwork is a hybrid of humankind and sheep, pieces that have sheep heads and human bodies. Starting with a self-portrait and inspired by my huge Afro at that time, I wanted to relate my portrait to something else and came up with sheep because of their fluffy hair. So initially the pieces started out with human head and sheep bodies.

Sheep have been used in many metaphoric expressions, proverbs and allegorical stories among different cultures. “Obedience” and “Cowardice” are the typical imagery of how sheep have been portrayed. The relationship between a shepherd and sheep symbolize the relationship between the rule and the ruled. In the guise of sheep, I can present human frailty. The sheep is a metaphor and is use to demonstrate human shortcoming.

The main theme of my artwork is focused on questioning. The sources of the ideas are picked up from my own life experiences, starting from personal experiences and expanding into what’s happening in the world, including history, current event and future issues. Based on these themes, I question why it’s happening, what's the real meaning. and I want to point out these issues to people. I would be very happy if my pieces trigger discussions with those who see my artwork. Each piece of artwork has a theme from my own point of view, a sarcastic nuance, and I want to plant a seed in the viewers’ hearts and minds.”

Kitade work has shown internationally, he has won or placed in competitions in New York. South Korea, Chicago and Miami. He has a Master’s Degree in Ceramic’s and a Bache1or’s Degree in Science. Kitade currently lives and works in New York City.