Koki Ota

koki ota.

Born in Kyoto in 1989.

Artist / Atelier & Cafe mu. / Based in Kyoto

Exploring themes of Light and Hope through intricate and delicate sculptures and paintings.

Since May 2023, I have been running the atelier and gallery 'atelier & cafe mu.'

Background and Sources of Inspiration

I grew up deep in the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, surrounded by rich natural environments including mountains, rivers, and forests. This setting greatly nurtured my sensitivity and creativity. From an early age, I lived closely with nature, where playing in the natural world was a part of my daily life.

Additionally, reading was one of my great pleasures. I devoured books from various genres, including adventure stories, fantasy novels, poetry collections, and philosophy, immersing myself in the worlds they portrayed and nurturing a rich imagination.

What Inspired Me to Start Creating Art

While I always loved drawing and making things as a child, as I grew older, I lost that joy and felt increasingly out of place in society. Overwhelmed by excessive work, I reached a point where I even considered ending my life. It was at that darkest moment that I decided, if I were to die, I might as well pursue what I loved with all my might. Thi...

My technique is based on self-teaching. I value my own pace, and understanding that it may be a longer path, I have embraced various genres to cultivate my sensibility and enhance my artistic creations.

Beyond painting and sculpture, I have explored diverse fields such as leather crafting, metalwork, stained glass, and woodworking. Through my interactions with artists and craftsmen handling various materials, I have learned a great deal, continuously incorporating this knowledge into my work.

However, I also recognize the limitations of self-teaching. To overcome these, I have recently begun incorporating academic learning with AI technology. By utilizing AI, I engage in continuous learning and self-dialogue, aiming to infuse my work with deeper meaning and appeal. This approach also allows me to explore the essence of human creativity.

Through this methodology, my work evolves to integrate the elements of both the past and the future, delivering a richer experience and greater impact to the viewer.

Exhibition Participation History

2015, January:KO SILVER × Koki Ota, Two-Person Exhibition, Yamaguchi (Painting)
2015, September:KO SILVER, Three-Person Exhibition, Yamaguchi (Painting)

2017, November:KO SILVER, Koki Ota Solo Exhibition "Small World, Various Worlds," Yamaguchi (Painting, Sculpture)

2018, August:KO SILVER × Koki Ota, Two-Person Exhibition, Yamaguchi (Painting)

2020, November:Young Artists Exhibition, Jiyu Sosaku Ito, Yamaguchi (Painting, Sculpture)

2021, January:KO SILVER × Koki Ota, Two-Person Exhibition, Yamaguchi (Painting, Sculpture)
2021, February:Sekisui House Housing Exhibition Interior Fair, Yamaguchi (Painting, Sculpture)
2021, July:Featured in Creema Staff's Best Loved Works Collection for the First Half of 2021
2021, December:"Scenes in Daily Life" Exhibition, JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto

2022, May:"tp-works × atelier kuuki: A Single Light" Exhibition, Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Osaka
2022, Throughout the year: "The Deliveryman from Above the Clouds" Exhibition, ranbu, Osaka
2022, October:"Moonlight" Exhibition, JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto
2022, October: Koki Ota Solo Exhibition "jiyu.", Omotesando, Tokyo and Saitama, Japan
2022, November:YAMABIKO FES 2022, hosted by Creema, Shizuoka

2023, May:Opening of atelie...