Hiroshi Sato
'Midwest'
Abend Gallery invites you to immerse yourself in the serene realms of "Midwest," a compelling solo exhibition by the acclaimed artist Hiroshi Sato. This exhibition showcases Sato's mastery in capturing the essence of the Midwest's serene landscapes and everyday tranquility through a modern lens. His artwork offers a sanctuary of calm, reflecting moments of stillness amidst the ongoing rhythms of daily life.
Explore a world where light and shadow dance on canvases, creating introspective spaces that invite you to pause and reflect. Each painting, from the subtle hues of "Evening Shed" to the evocative depths of "Alley Shadow," narrates a story of place and time, encouraging a deep personal connection with the familiar yet profound sights of the Midwest.
We are thrilled to welcome you to the opening reception, where you can experience the tranquil beauty of Sato's work and enjoy an evening filled with art and meaningful connections. Don't miss the opportunity to meet the artist behind these captivating visuals, who will be present to share insights into his creative journey.
📅 Exhibition Dates: April 26 - May 14
🎉 Opening Reception: April 26th, 5 - 8 PM (Artist in Attendance)
📍 Location: 1261 Delaware St, Suite 2, Denver, CO 80204
Join us at Abend Gallery to experience the quiet magnificence of 'Midwest'—an exhibition that promises to leave you with a sense of peace and introspection.
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Artist Statement
I visited the corner of Missouri where the state meets Oklahoma, Arkansas. In that corner there were archeological sites, a gigantic art museum built on the money of Walmart, a town in the path of the Trail of Tears, abandoned buildings easier to leave rather than to dismantle, endless animal farms and many more.
The new series “Midwest” is set in the end of 2023 crossing over to the election year. My previous sentences are threads of allusions all tied together, recognizable to you; the reader in 2024, landmarks in the landscape of the internal “Modern American”.
What is different to the past “Modern Man” is that today’s modern individual can no longer take a break from anything. We are immersed in work, media, reminders, twenty four hours a day through the new“freedom” to access it instantaneously on our phones. And of course, immersed in the reminders of what I have inferred.
What is uniquely specific to our current time is that the vast majority of people had experienced a mode of life before this immersion, when what is in the background could be turned down, or pretended to be unknown. That is no longer the case, and the vast majority are ill equipped to deal with, recognize and regulate it. This is the new anxiety of living in the current modernity and unique to this generation of people.
The “Midwest” series is attempting to record this before it is completely forgotten. - Hiroshi Sato
Learn More about Hiroshi Sato
Hiroshi Sato, born in Gamagori, Japan, is a celebrated painter known for his introspective exploration of the interface between the internal mind and the external world. Sato’s international upbringing, living in Tanzania before returning to Japan, informs his unique artistic vision that weaves together Eastern and Western philosophies. His works echo the techniques of Western luminaries like Edward Hopper and Richard Diebenkorn, alongside the compositional sensibilities of Japanese artists such as Ito Shinsui and Hashimoto Kansetsu. Sato's paintings are an ongoing dialogue between these cultural aesthetics, reflecting his personal journey across continents and cultures. His art has garnered attention in prestigious publications like Fine Art Connoisseur, Juxtapoz Magazine, and Art Business News Magazine, establishing him as a pivotal figure in contemporary painting. Through his work, Sato continues to challenge and enchant viewers, offering a profound commentary on cultural intersection and human perception. He is currently based in San Francisco, CA, where he continues to develop his distinctive artistic style.
Hiroshi Sato CV
Born Japan 1987
Education
2015 Academy of Art University, MFA Painting
2012 Academy of Art University, BFA Painting
2006 Atlanta College of Art, Foundations
Awards and Honors
2020 Martin Shallenberger Artist in Residence, Cheekwood Museum, Nashville Tennessee
2018 Delusional Art Competition Finalist
2017 Rise Art Prize Finalist
2017 The 19th Annual International Portrait Competition, Portrait Society of America, Certificate of Excellence award
2016 The Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition Finalist, Portraits and Figures, “Haircut type 1”
2014 The Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition Finalist, Portraits and Figures, “Changing Tide”
2014 The Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition Finalist, Portraits and Figures, “Sun”
2014 International Artist Magazine People and Figures Finalist, “Closet”
2012 Academy of Art, Spring Show Figurative 2nd place
Museum Exhibition
2020 Martin Shallenberger Artist in Residence Solo Exhibition, Cheekwood Museum, Nashville Tennessee,
Solo Exhibition
2024 “Midwest”, Aben Gallerry, Denver, Colorado
2023 “The Water Series”, Harris Harvey Gallery, Seattle, Washington
2023 “Transvaluation”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2022 “Format”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2022 ”In the Distance”, Harris Harvey Gallery, Seattle, Washington
2021 “Running in the 90’s”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2021 “Outview” Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2020 “2020”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2020 “Flatness and form”, Two person show, Harris Harvey Gallery, Seattle, Washington
2019 “Digital Homunculus”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2017 "Fan Fiction", Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2014 “Windows and Doors”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2013 “From Dissonance”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2012 “New Works”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
Group Exhibitions
2019 “The Land”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2019 “”Figurative vs Abstract” Salt Fine Art, Laguna Beach, California
2019 “artMRKT”, artMRKT, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California
2019 “The Space Between”, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, California
2018 “Mini Show”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2018 "Delusional Art Competition Group Exhibition", Jonathan Levine Projects, Jersey City, New Jersey
2018 “5X5”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2016 “Edge of Realism”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2016 "First Street Gallery's MFA National Art Competition Group Show", First Street Gallery, New York, City, New York
2016 “Landscape Group Show”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2016 “Contemporary Figuration”, Abend Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2016 “artMRKT”, artMRKT, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California
2015 “Summer Group Show”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2015 “Academy of Art University Spring Show Exhibition”, San Francisco, California
2015 “artMRKT”, artMRKT, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California
2014 “Art Silicon Valley”, San Mateo Event Center, San Mateo, San Francisco, California
2014 “artMRKT”, artMRKT, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California
2014 “Moving Exhibition” Group Exhibiton, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2013 “Help to Build a School in Myanmar Charity Auction by Lumas”, Artnet Auctions
2013 “Academy of Art University Spring Show Exhibition”, San Francisco, California
2013 “artMRKT”, artMRKT, Fort Mason, San Francisco, California
2013 ”20th Anniversary Exhibition”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2013 “Nudes”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2012 “Outliers”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2011 “Outliers”, San Francisco Design Center, San Francisco, California
2011 “Small Works”, Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, California
2011 “Benefit Silent Auction”, STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco, California
2011 “Academy of Art University Spring Show Exhibition”, San Francisco, California
Select Press
Creative Boom Magazine, July 2018
Kunstenaar Magazine Feature, Number 49, December 2017
The Artist’s Magazine, Competition Spotlight, November 2017
The American Scholar Magazine, Portrait of the Artist, June 2017
Visual Art Source, Review by DeWitt Cheng, November 2014
Juxtapoz Magazine, November 2014
The Artist’s Magazine, Annual Art Competition, December 2014
International Artist Magazine, Challenge #82, People and Figures, #98 August/September issue, 2014
Fine Art Connoisseur feature article in Fine Art Today Newsletter “Hiroshi Sato: Painting and Optics” July 2013
Art Business News Magazine, Top 30 artist under 30, Fall 2013
Southwest Art Magazine, 21 under 31. September 2011.
Online Press
Creative Boom
Creative Boom
https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/hiroshi-satos-geometric-paintings-that-look-as-though-they-have-been-folded/
Rise Art Painting Perception
https://www.riseart.com/article/2018-02-01-artist-interviews-painting-and-perception-with-hiroshi-sato
The Art Shelf
http://www.theartsshelf.com/2017/12/12/rise-art-announces-shortlist-for-its-10000-global-art-prize/
Rise Art Prize finalists
https://www.riseartprize.com/finalists/
Kunstenaar Magazine
www.kunstenaar.nl/inhoud-nummer-49
Design is kinky
http://designiskinky.net
BOOOOOOM
https://www.booooooom.com/2017/11/28/artist-spotlight-hiroshi-sato/
The Silverlake Voice
http://www.silverlakevoice.com/interview/hiroshi-sato-exploring-inner-reality/
The American Scholar Magazine, 2017
theamericanscholar.org/hiroshi-sato/
Juxtapoz Magazine, November 2014
http://www.juxtapoz.com/current/hiroshi-sato-windows-and-doors-hespe-gallery-sf
Visual Art Source, November 2014
Review by DeWitt Cheng
http://www.visualartsource.com/index.php?page=editorial&pcID=17&aID=2520
Art Business by Alan Bamberger, November 2014
http://www.artbusiness.com/1open/110614.html
Art Business News, October 2013
http://artbusinessnews.com/2013/10/hiroshi-satos-underneath/
You Called It, September 2013
https://youcalledit.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/hiroshi-sato
Fine Art Connoisseur, July 2013
Painting and Optics write up by Jeffrey Carlson
http://www.fineartconnoisseur.com/Hiroshi-Sato--Painting-and-Optics/16899429
Art Business by Alan Bamberger, August 2013
http://www.artbusiness.com/1open/080113.html
SF Art Enthusiast, April 2013
http://sfartenthusiast.com/2013/04/photo-feature-hespe-gallerys-20th-anniversary-exhibition/
Art Business by Alan Bamberger, June 2012
http://www.artbusiness.com/1open/060712.html
Artistic Journeys: Hiroshi Sato's Residency Talk
Dive into the mind of Hiroshi Sato with his insightful artist talk during his Martin Shallenberger residency. Sato delves into his personal history, from his childhood in Tanzania to his formative years in Japan, shaping his unique perspective on beauty and place. He articulates his artistic evolution, from rejecting art school to embracing the blend of Western oil painting with Japanese aesthetics. Discover the influences that drive his representational art, from the mathematical precision of dynamic symmetry to the narrative depth akin to Hopper and Diebenkorn. Join us on this intimate voyage through Sato's creative process and witness the conception of a series that captures the subtle interface between our internal world and external realities