The interviews are conducted by VB Contemporary's director, Vian Borchert. Besides being a multidisciplinary noted international artist. Borchert has been a writer and art critic for over a decade contributing with art articles in a national online newspaper within the U.S.A. Borchert gets called upon to cover and write reviews for major retrospectives and exhibitions in world-class American museums. Borchert is also the Art Lead / curator of the art segment for "Oxford Public Philosophy Journal" for the Turn 5 issue - "Oxford Public Philosophy" is a philosophy journal based at Oxford University, UK. The journal is a space for critically questioning what philosophy is and how we're doing it, in form and content. 

Interview with Kazu Saito

Photo of artist Kazu Saito
About the artist: Kazu Saito is an esteemed and accomplished award-winning Japanese artist who was born in Kyoto, Japan. Saito graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts. Saito has won numerous awards such as: Grand Prize, Kyoto Art and Crafts Exhibition Grand Prize, National Ink Painting Competition Runner-up, Shinwa Art Exhibition Kazu Saito wants to explore and pursue "beauty" in the every day. Saito also wants to spread that knowledge to the world and deliver it to the whole world as well.
Tell us about your "Beginnings", how did you start your artist journey? How did your childhood influence your creative career path? And, how is your beginnings / childhood "Reflective" within your work? When I was a child, I used to run around the fields and rivers. I would make a path on the ground and draw pictures with sticks. Additionally, I always looked at the sky. In regards to looking at the sky, I looked for something that would come down from the infinite beyond. The sky doesn't say anything. I find something inside myself by talking to the sky. In other words, I quietly ask myself questions in a rambling conversation.
Image of artwork HOSHI GATARI
Walk us through your day from morning till evening along with your creative process? What does a day for "Kazu Saito" look like? Where do you find inspiration in the area by which you reside? And, What does "Summer" mean to you? Let us know what is your favorite Summer activity? In the morning, I leave my house and head to my studio. On the way, I sketch things that catch my eye, and turn my eyes and hands to my artwork. When I get tired of drawing, I go for a walk. I reset myself by experiencing everyday life that has nothing to do with artwork. I live in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto has a truly diverse artisan culture. On the other hand, untouched nature is next to it. By going back and forth between them, tension and relaxation are created on a daily basis. That is very important to me. In particular, the beauty of the mineral pigments made by Hokodo in Kyoto is indispensable to my painting. "Summer" is my favorite season for rice paddies. Their beauty and vitality make my heart dance.
As an artist, what have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career? And, what have been your best achievements for you personally and professionally? Who are your favorite artists and why do you find their art captivating? I don't know. I don't feel that way yet. I think it will happen in the future. I hope so. I have many favorite artists. Renoir, Klimt, Mark Rothko, Raphael, Kayama Matazo, Yoshida Yoshihiko, Shogai, Buddhist paintings from the Heian period, and countless others. Each artist, in their own language, is always a teacher, a friend, a parent, and a child to me. They are all my treasures.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kazu.saitou.3 Instagram: @kazu.saitou.3 X (twitter): https://x.com/saitoukazu Website: http://saitoukazu.com/