Atsushi Kaga is a Japanese artist living and working in Dublin. Kaga's practice is steeped in popular culture and includes drawing, painting, sculpture and animation. Kaga's work is disguised in whimsy, yet astutely addresses the complexities of life in the twenty-first century. When Kaga was eighteen he wanted to be a comedian, and it shows. His use of humour is the methodology he employs to take us to interesting places. While not eliciting the belly laughs of a stand-up comedian, Kaga's work, conspires to make us smile and ultimately question. After a recent trip home to Japan, doughnuts of every flavour have made an appearance in Kaga's work. In the wackily titled I Want To Give Love To Socially Neglected Parts of You, That’s My Mission, a multitude of flavoured doughnuts proliferate, with 'Welcome to Doughnut Heaven' emblazoned in Japanese across the top of the work. Positioned centrally in this work are the characters Bunny and Robert who are clad in flowing capes, like superheroes. They gain strength and fortitude from their sweet treats and lead us magnificently to sugar heaven. Mission accomplished! This exhibition is running until 5th October in The Butler Gallery, Kilkenny.
