H+ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: A Q&A WITH GREG ITO

Greg Ito is a Los Angeles–based fine artist and painter whose visual style embraces personal narrative and dream-like compositions to create surreal alternate timelines of daily life.

Tapping into symbolism and an ever-expanding palette of off-nature colors, Ito's work asserts an optimistic outlook in uncertain times. Here's some words from the dream-like mind of Greg Ito:

H+: First off, congratulations on the gorgeous window display for Hermes in New York!! Can you tell us more on how this project came about and what it means to you?

Greg Ito: I am very excited for this project because it is my first street level installation in New York. It's a generous space for an installation which allowed me to be able to do something more sculpturally ambitious. I used this project as an opportunity to highlight the household, one of my favorite symbols, by building a home within the vitrine, and incorporating surreal elements through the use of the windows. I wanted to connect with human emotions stemming from nostalgia and the holiday season. During this time of year it is potentially cold, so I wanted to create an image of warmth and human connection which pulls people into the space. Also, It was a great opportunity to work with a high end fabrication team to make this installation real. Collabing with fabricators opens up to what's possible, and I'm so excited for future installs and similar projects.

H+ How did you first become interested in pursuing a career as a visual artist?

Greg Ito: I have always been into art since a young age, as I always gravitated toward it. I had lots of artistic influence from family such as cousins and aunts and uncles who work in movies and animation, etc. Being an artist wasn't a choice, it's always been my destiny. I love the process of making art and shaping the world around me through my exhibitions and special projects.

H+ Your work finds itself displayed across multiple mediums from painting and sculpture to fully immersive and experiential builds. Do you have any further interest in installation or experiential work?

Greg Ito: Yes, an essential part of my studio's ethos is shaping human experience. Human experience can be shaped through multiple approaches, multiple media. These are creative art forms that are harnessed for expression. I like to use these different artmaking approaches as different tools in my practice to create an experience. This form of making not only can be applied to my art, but also my artistic approach can be applied to commercial work and how to use my specialty of shaping human experience for not only art galleries and museums but also commercial realms as well. Right now I'm working on my first video project for a solo exhibition for a museum in Long Beach later this year. I'm looking forward to seeing how that new media will expand my practice and open up new possibilities.

H+ What upcoming projects are you excited about?

Greg Ito: Currently I'm focused on a solo show in NYC. It'll be my first solo in New York, with Anat Ebgi. I'm tailoring a special project for New York that involves the three main pillars of my art practice: a suite of new paintings and a central sculpture housed within and installation in Tribeca. The next is solo at LBMA (Long Beach Museum of Art) in Sep 2024. My work will be at various fairs throughout the year as well such as Art Basel HK, Art Basel Miami, The Armory Show NY, among others.

H+: What are your manifestations as we step into a new year?

Greg Ito: To expand my artistic practice into commercial avenues and work with amazing clients producing the best projects. There's no limitations to what can be achieved!

H+: What do you hope visitors take away after viewing your installation work?

Greg Ito: I hope to create a sincere connection with the viewer allowing them to take a break from reality and become immersed in my world. I want them to be offered a time for reflection and thought and to gain a sense of freedom when they experience my shows.

H+: Can you share a bit of your history with painting? How has your aesthetic evolved over time?

Greg Ito: I've always been attracted to super flat hard edged painting styles. My work is an amalgamation of numerous influences; from Japanese woodblock prints, anime, surrealism, minimalism, scientific diagrams, alchemical illustrations, vignette paintings, and illuminated manuscripts. My influences are a reflection of who I am and the things I've had the opportunity to spend time with.

H+: What influences and inspirations do you draw upon in your work?

Greg Ito: I see my work now as somewhat of a reflection of myself, things that I'm thinking about or going through in life. Family structures, cycles, generational patterns, death and rebirth, and time are all common themes I always come back to.

H+: Any dream clients or collaborations you have in mind for the future?

Greg Ito: It's been a dream to work with Hermes. I would love to collaborate on a product with a major fashion house, and would love to transform an experience like a runway show during Paris fashion week and create a stage/set design for an opera or a pop music artist.

H+: What are your thoughts on parallel universes?

Greg Ito: I totally believe in them.