Satoko Okuno

Satoko 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.

Satoko Okuno (b. 1991) is a painter, ceramic sculptor, and printmaker originally from Tokyo, Japan, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. She received her BFA from the ArtCenter College of Design as the Valedictorian of the Class of Spring 2024. Okuno’s work has been exhibited in group shows at the Trophy Room LA (Los Angeles, CA), La Luz de Jesus Gallery (Los Angeles, CA), the Hive Gallery (Los Angeles, CA), Pamplemousse Gallery (Richmond, VA), Alto Beta Gallery (Altadena, CA), and aquabitArt galerie (Berlin, Germany). Her work has been featured in publications such as Bold Journey, Voyage LA, and Shoutout LA. Her painting was awarded the first prize ('Best in CREATE (Art)') in the London International Creative Competition 2022. Okuno’s creative excellence has been recognized through multiple scholarships, including the Jerry Pinkney Legacy Scholarship, the Peter Arnell Family Scholarship, and the Phil Hays Memorial Endowed Scholarship.