ABOUT KATE KATO | PAPER ARTIST
ARTIST STATEMENT
Using reclaimed paper, wire and thread, I create intricate paper sculptures of plants, insects and other natural forms. Drawn from observation, research and personal experience, these life-sized pieces are brought together in collections, commissions and immersive installations that explore the connections between people, places and the natural world.
My practice is rooted in curiosity. I spend time looking closely at the plants, insects and landscapes around me, noticing the small details and the relationships that are so easily overlooked. Inspired by places, memories or encounters, I create sculptures that encourage the viewer to slow down and reflect on these details too.
The materials I use are an important part of that process. Old books, maps, packaging and other discarded papers all carry traces of previous lives. As I transform them into plants and insects, the stories held within the paper become woven together with the observations, memories and relationships represented by the species themselves. I deliberately leave fragments of text, imagery and worn surfaces visible within each sculpture. These details invite others to look more closely, discovering connections between the materials, the species and their own experiences. One person may recognise a place, another may remember a person or a moment in time, while someone else may simply notice a detail they had never seen before. Every viewer brings their own memories and associations, allowing the work to take on new and different meanings through the connections they make.
By crafting collections, commissions and installations, I hope these moments of curiosity and discovery create opportunities for people to slow down, look closely and reconnect with the natural world. I want my work to invite them to notice not only the plants and insects themselves, but also the relationships between people and places, materials and memories, and between the natural world and their own lives. It is within these quiet connections that I hope a deeper appreciation for the everyday ecosystems around us can grow.
If you'd like to collaborate on a piece inspired by your own experiences of nature you can find out more about the commissioning process here.
MY CREATIVE PROCESS
Paper has been at the heart of my creative practice since I first began making art. Alongside wire, thread and other reclaimed materials, it remains my primary medium. When I moved from two-dimensional work into sculpture, continuing to work with paper felt like a natural progression for my practice. Its versatility makes it particularly well suited to exploring the plants, insects and natural forms that inspire my work.
Observation and research form the starting point of every project. I spend time exploring landscapes, collecting specimens, sketching and photographing plants and insects, and recording details that might otherwise go unnoticed. I also draw on books, field guides and online resources to better understand the species I encounter and the ecological relationships that connect them to particular places.
This research then informs the development of each sculpture. I experiment with different structures, papers and construction methods before creating technical drawings and templates for the final piece. The process of testing and refinement allows the materials themselves to influence the outcome, often leading to new discoveries and ideas.
Using techniques including paper cutting, carving, wire work and embroidery, every sculpture is drawn, shaped and assembled entirely by hand. Working in this way allows each piece to develop its own character and organic form. Thread is often used to bind elements together, adding both structure and texture, along with wires that are carefully placed to help support the sculptures. I enjoy how the slow, labour-intensive nature of the process also reflects the close observation on which my work is based.
The reclaimed papers I use are chosen not only for their physical qualities but also for the histories they contain. Fragments of the original surfaces remain visible within the sculptures, preserving traces of their previous lives. Watercolour and ink are added to enhance colour and pattern. Their translucency allows the natural textures and markings of the materials to show through and shape the finished work.
I explore some of these ideas and processes in more detail in articles I've written in my Journal.
BIOGRAPHY
Originally from Bristol, I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from the University of the West of England in 2006. During my studies I specialised in bookmaking and print, developing skills in bookbinding, typesetting and screen printing while exploring narrative, materiality and alternative ways of telling stories through paper.
After graduating, I worked as a photographer and freelance graphic designer, documenting people and places and creating printed work for branding and marketing. These experiences strengthened my fascination with observation, detail and the stories held within both landscapes and everyday objects.
A move to the Welsh countryside in 2014 marked a turning point in my practice. Living surrounded by nature encouraged a slower way of looking and a renewed sense of curiosity, leading me to combine my longstanding love of paper with an increasing interest in the natural world. This became the foundation of my sculptural practice, transforming reclaimed books, maps and other discarded papers into intricate botanical and zoological forms that explore the connections between people, memory and nature.
Now based just outside Hay-on-Wye, I create sculptures, collections and installations that have been exhibited nationally and internationally. My work has been commissioned by clients including Sotheby's, Condé Nast and Oroton, and is held in public and private collections worldwide.
Film: 'Curious In Nature', a film about my work and what inspires me by R&A Collaborations.
EXHIBITIONS & COLLECTIONS
If you'd like to explore my work further, you can discover the stories behind some of my paper sculpture collections in my portfolio. Or, if you'd prefer to experience the intricate details in person, visit my exhibitions page to find out where my work is currently on display and where it will be shown next.