Drawing inspiration from Victorian medical books, sketches and paraphernalia, Seiko Kato’s eerie art sets her apart. This artist/illustrator’s dolls are bizarre and beautiful at the same time, and her large collage works are equally impressive. It’s Seiko’s extreme attention to detail and her combined use of macabre and charming elements that pull you in and turn you out. Learn more about this maverick artist in her 10 ANSWERS below.
1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Intricate, surreal and macabre.
2. Who is your creative role model?
Visually: Hieronymus Bosch, but if I think about a more modern artist, it would have to be Jan Svankmajer because I like the sense of humour that runs through his work.
3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
I would have to say that I would like to play with kittens for an hour each day.
4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
I think it would be Madagascar because it’s somewhere that I’ve never been to, but I’ve seen it on nature programs and it has lots of unusual trees and beautiful creatures.
They are amazingly unique and I’m fascinated by the beauty of these creatures.
5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
Maybe a shoemaker. I love shoes and I would like to have the ability to make a pair for myself.
6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I quite often give friends one-off handmade jewelry, I like to think of the person and make something that would suit them.
7. What is your favorite object in your home?
I am an avid collector and I have lots of objects at home so this is quite hard question to answer. But I mostly buy items from Victorian period and the 60′s/70′s. Of all of the things I have my current favourite is letterpress drawers with lots of metal letterpress types.
8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Believe in yourself and keep working.
9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
I don’t really use websites for my inspiration. Although I do enjoy seeing stuff and other peoples work on the internet. I also sometimes check on It’s Nice That, flickr and .
10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
When I feel it’s finished. I can’t explain exactly when that is, it varies from piece to piece, but I think I sort of know when the piece is complete.
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