When did you first know that art was going to be a big part of your life?
Maybe after dropping my math / psychology major for sculpture. Although now, I believe that any subject's zenith is great art.
What does LVA add to your life?
A sense of community and love. <3
How else are you involved in the community?
I run a small gallery called "ThinkBox Contemporary". It's an experimental art venue that functions as a residential project space, evolved from an interest in exploring the relationship between people, their environments, and the community. As a practice for urban regeneration, the development was initiated in the heart of Old Louisville. The venue was completed in late 2013 through the collaborative support and effort of locals, to increase dialogue for the betterment of the area’s social discourse and to provide a location that acts as a catalyst for spreading ideas. Local artist / educator at KYCAD, Andrew Cozzens (I think... now a board member at LVA?) has helped with inviting national to international artists to broaden the scope. Hopefully someone will continue it after I leave.
Describe your perfect Sunday afternoon.
Mimosa at Wild Eggs, trail hiking and cycling at Bernheim Forest, napping at Cherokee park, lunch at Kashmir, playing the piano with a giant jug of espresso. Ah, so many things I love to do and so little time.
Who is your favorite local artist?
Hmmmmmmm. They're all my favorites.
Where would you like to see Louisville 10 years from now?
That'll be about half way into the Move Louisville plan...so an efficient public transportation. Google'll be nice. More art critics!
What neighborhood do you live in? What are some of your favorite things about it?
Old Louisville! The affordable and beautiful neighborhood, where law enforcers frequently leaves me a letter encased in a green envelope on my windshield.
What three items would you bring to a desert island?
Multitool survival kit, fishing rod, and a bottle of Pappy 23yr.
What advice would you give your past self if you could?
"If you truly love something, don't tell anyone."
Shohei Katayama is a Japanese American artist living and working in Louisville, Kentucky. His work includes line drawings, sculpture and conceptual installation art. He received a B.A. in Studio Art from Bellarmine University (2010) and undertook additional training in glass blowing with Ché Rhodes at the University of Louisville.
In 2012, Katayama served as the artist-in-residence at the Asia Institute – Crane House and he continues to be an active leader in Asian culture education in the community. He is a former preparator at Land of Tomorrow gallery and currently an Associate Member at Pyro Gallery.
Katayama’s work has been shown extensively in local and regional venues, from Pyro Gallery (2011-2013) and Land of Tomorrow (Lexington, 2013) to the Crane House (2012, 2013, 2016), The Brew House (Pittsburgh, 2014), and the Local Speed exhibition at the Speed Art Museum (2013).
www.shoheikatayama.com
www.facebook.com/thinkboxcontemporary