GALLERY KOGURE is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Atsuko Goto, an artist who has depicted the inner worlds of people with exceptional skill and a unique vision.

Atsuko Goto has been painting the quiet, hidden thoughts that everyone holds in their hearts. With each solo exhibition, she continues to surprise and captivate her audience. Goto believes that the act of painting is similar to dreaming, where strange stories and images emerge—inner landscapes that reflect hidden emotions within both the conscious and unconscious mind.

Another key theme in her work is ‘idol’—a figure that exists as an empty vessel to receive people’s hopes, prayers, and curses. These ambiguous beings resemble someone who could be anyone, but at the same time, they are no one. They are like the figures that appear in dreams—unreal yet present, shaped by human desires or curses, like ghosts or phantoms. Haven’t we all encountered such fleeting presences in our minds?

Her works combine a mastery of painting techniques, driven by a deep curiosity for materials, with a sharp insight into modern society. Though her art may appear to depict fantastical worlds, it also reflects the inner landscapes of modern people—the desire to escape from a mundane self and be admired by others, or to break free from daily life and step into an extreme world. Atsuko Goto has become an artist like no other. We invite you to experience her world.
(GALLERY KOGURE)

To win, to be envied, to attain greatness—everyone wants to be a ‘hero.’ Rather than live in despair over one’s own mediocrity and the monotony of daily life, we may choose to ignite our lives in a violent tragedy that transcends the everyday, bringing a kind of euphoric celebration. We are born, blessed, and live in a world fated for mutual destruction. Perhaps the peaceful daily life surrounding me now is just a fleeting dream seen by this cursed world.
(Atsuko Goto)

CV
2006 Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, Oil Painting Course
2007-08 Studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris
2010 Completed the Master’s Program in Oil Painting and Material Techniques at Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts
2014-17 Part-time Lecturer, Oil Painting and Material Techniques, Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts
2022 Part-time Lecturer, Department of Painting (Western Painting), Faculty of Fine Arts, Joshibi University of Art and Design

Exhibition (Selected)
2009 “Atsuko Goto Solo Exhibition” / Gallery Etienne de Causan / Paris
2012 “Gentle Silence” / Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Art Gallery
         “Unable to Wake Up from a Dream” / LOWER AKIHABARA
2014 “Pray and Curse” / LOWER AKIHABARA
         “Everything is Deception” / Mitsukoshi Ginza Store, Art Space ∞
2016 “An Empty Idol” / LOWER AKIHABARA
         “Dreaming Monster” / Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store, Art Salon
2017 “The Silence of Idols” / Thinkspace Gallery / Los Angeles
2018 “The Happy Prince” / GALLERY KOGURE / New York
2019 “A Fairy Tale is Dreaming by Itself” / GALLERY KOGURE
2022 “GENZO KITAN -Mad-” / GALLERY KOGURE
         “GENZO KITAN -Daydream-” Atsuko Goto Art Book Launch Exhibition / Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store
2023 “Melancholy Festival” / Beinart Gallery / Melbourne

Artist Official Instagram