Satoko Okuno

1. Paintings
2. Ceramics
3. Printmaking

Biography

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Biography
Satoko Okuno (b. 1991) is a painter and ceramic artist originally from Tokyo, Japan, currently living and working in LA. Okuno's artistic vision is anchored in the portrayal of animals and mythological creatures, drawing inspiration from various sources such as her two cats, encounters at the zoo, and ancient art forms like Greek pottery and Egyptian sculptures. Her vibrant mixed-media paintings, adorned with impasto textures, and glazed stoneware breathe life into these creatures, establishing them as guardians within her art and inviting viewers into a comforting and safe realm. This profound exploration of guardianship is rooted in Okuno’s Japanese upbringing, steeped in the cultural richness of Shintoism—the belief that all things, ranging from natural materials, animals, and humans alike, have a spirit. Having grown up with traditional Japanese sculptures of guardian animals, often placed in front of shrines to bring safety and protect inhabitants, she recasts those animals as central characters in her modern-day sanctuaries, providing solace and gentleness in a world often laden with life's traumas.



Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (04.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA
- Valedictorian (2024)
- GPA 4.0, Provost list (2021-2024)
- Received multiple scholarships for academic and creative excellence

Bachelor of Laws (03.2013)
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan




Solo Exhibition

Title TBD (11.2024)
HeyThere Projcts, Joshua Tree, CA




Group Exhibition

Heads We’re Dancing (11.2024)
Alto Beta Gallery, Altadena, CA

Cute and Creepy (10.2024)
Hive Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Best In Show (09.2024)
Pamplemousse Gallery, Richmond, VA

Purple Electropicz 3459 (08.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

Everything But the Kitchen Sink (08.2024)
La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

May Flowers (05.2024)
The Trophy Room LA, Los Angeles, CA

Echoes: Eye On Berlin (08.2023)
aquabitArt galerie, Berlin-Mitte, Germany

Welcome Home (05.2023)
Hutto Patterson Exhibition Hall, Pasadena, CA

Present (03.2023)
Hutto Patterson Exhibition Hall, Pasadena, CA




Press

ArtStuff (06.2024)
A Minute With Emily Marchand & Satoko Okuno

Bold Journey (06.2024)
Meet Satoko Okuno

Shoutout LA (10.2023)
Meet Satoko Okuno | Painter and Ceramics Artist

VoyageLA (09.2023)
Rising Stars: Meet Satoko Okuno




Awards

Society of Illustrators Scholarship Competition 2024
- The Jerry Pinkney Legacy Scholarship awarded
  “Panther-Lizard”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 48” x36”

Graphis New Talent Awards 2024
- Honorable Mention in Illustration, Design
  “Let’s Go For a Walk”, etching on paper, 9” x 12” 

London International Creative Competition 2022
- Best in “CREATE (Art) - Non-Professional”
 “Anna Sophia in a chair”, oil on panel, 16” x 12”
- Official Selection in “CREATE (Art) - Non-Professional”
 “Morning Light”, oil on canvas, 24” x 18”

Creative Quarterly 69 (2022)
- Runner-up in “Fine art: student”
 “Anna Sophia in a chair”, oil on wood panel, 16” x 12”
- Runner-up in “Illustration: student”
 “Bento”, digital and Japanese paper (washi), 3,300 x 2,806 px




Recognition

ArtCenter President’s Office (2024 Spring)
- “Let’s Go For a Walk”, etching on paper, 9” x 12”

ArtCenter Student Gallery; Featured Artist Wall (2024 Spring)
- “Jaguar (Looking for Friends)”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 48” x 36”
- “Fox (Dancing in the Universe)”, mixed media on canvas, 48” x 72”
- “Sand Cat (the World Must Be Big)”, mixed media on canvas, 48” x 36”
- “Lion”, glazed stoneware, 12” height
- “Ram”, glazed stoneware, 9” height
- “Six Leg Creature”, glazed stoneware, 12” height

ArtCenter Student Gallery (Excerpt, 2022-2024)
- “Flowers” (diptych), oil and acrylic on canvas, 20” x 22” each
- “Rabbits”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 18” x 18”
- “Amphorae”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 24” x 40”
- “Vase”, acrylic gouache on wood panel, 10” x 8”
- “Tiger and a Pine Tree”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 48” x 36”
- “Life with Two Cats”, acrylic, oil, and oil stick on canvas, 40” x 30”
- “Let’s Go For a Walk”, etching on paper, 9” x 12”
- “Canadian Lynx (Smoke Will Be Gone Soon)”, mixed media o canvas, 24” x 48”




Scholarship

The Jerry Pinkney Legacy Scholarship (03.2024)
Society of Illustrators Scholarship Competition 2024

Phil Hays Memorial Endowed Scholarship (01.2024 - 04.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

Peter Arnell Family Scholarship (01.2024 - 04.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

ArtCenter UG Cont Scholarship (01.2024 - 04.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

ArtCenter UG Scholarship (09.2021 - 04.2024)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

Diversity and Access Travel Stipend Award (08.2023)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

ArtCenter Two Term Scholarship (01.2023 - 08.2023)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

ArtCenter 100 Scholarship (01.2023 - 08.2023)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

Phil Hays Memorial Endowed Scholarship (09.2022 - 04.2023)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA

ArtCenter General Endowed Scholarship (05.2022 - 12.2022)
ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, CA