ABOUT
Harumo Sato is a Japanese visual artist residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. With a diverse international background, having lived in Japan, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, and Spain, she earned her BA from the University at Buffalo, New York, in 2015.
Her passion for sustainability and the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature extends from her studio practice to her work in public art. Sato's paintings and hand-pulled screen prints can be found in both public and private collections, and her art has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across California, New York, Oregon, and New Mexico. In 2021, she was honored as a nominee for the SECA Art Award.
Sato has been commissioned for public art projects by renowned organizations such as Google, Meta, MidPen Housing, and the University at Buffalo, among others. She is also a recipient of the Cubberley Artists Studio program in Palo Alto, California.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My art delves into the concept of harmony, drawing from Japanese, Asian, and Mediterranean prehistoric art influences. I explore the human pursuit of comfort, efficiency, and beauty, often resulting in environmental destruction. Using the concept of "cuteness," everyday mundane objects, and subjects, I strive to raise awareness of environmental issues and the contradictions within our modern lifestyles. My visual language blends elements of Japanese/Asian consumer culture with hints of Japanese and Mediterranean prehistoric art, delving into historical, cultural, and global eco-socio power dynamics. My art seeks harmony and coexistence between nature and humanity, acting as a lens through which to question desires, consumption, and global politics, all wrapped in sweet and cute aesthetics.
Permanent Collection: City of Palo Alto, Fidelity Contemporary Art Collection.
Awards include:
SVCreate Content Emerging Artist Award
Leigh Weimers emerging Artist Awards
Morrison Scholarship
Alan. E Cober Scholarship
Rumsey Competition Scholarship
Residency include:
Facebook AIR
Cubberley Artists Studio Program
Western New York Book Art Center
Clients include:
Google, University At Buffalo, Department of General Service in Washington D.C, Meta, Target, Passion Planner, Blue Cross Blue Shield in California, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose etc
Selected Press:
subkit (Dec, 2022)
CanvasRebel (Nov, 2022)
The Registry SF (Nov, 2022)
Daily Journal (Nov, 2022)
Content Mag (Jan-Feb, 2020)