Biography
Kensuke Saito (b. 1978, Tokyo) is a Berlin-based artist. Born with a severe hearing impairment, he naturally developed a heightened reliance on visual information, leading him to use drawing as his primary form of communication from a young age. After majoring in graphic design, where he mastered the skills to structure complex information into visual content, Saito relocated to Paris in 2012 and eventually to Berlin in 2015.
Since moving to Europe, his practice has evolved from delicate ink-based work to a dynamic fusion of painting, collage, and video. His current work explores the "human polyhedron"—an investigation into multifaceted identity within the context of a diverse, immigrant-led urban society. By bridging his Japanese roots with the raw energy of Berlin, Saito continues to reveal the hidden layers of the human condition.
Statement
I was born and raised in Japan. Being born hearing impaired, I have always relied deeply on visual information to navigate the world. During my youth, Japanese manga and anime had a significant influence on me, helping me to visualize my unique worldview. My artistic foundation is built on this heightened visual sensitivity and the delicate Japanese aesthetics I grew up with.
Since relocating to Berlin, my practice has evolved to explore the "Human Polyhedron"—the multifaceted identities and complex layers that exist within every individual. To me, Berlin is a complex immigrant city where diverse cultures and histories live side-by-side. I see the city’s overlapping graffiti and weathered walls as a physical representation of how memories, emotions, and identities accumulate within the human mind.
In my paintings, I employ a multi-layered approach using acrylics, spray paint, and collage. Much like the walls of Berlin, I build layers and then partially destroy or cover them—a physical process where the spirit strives to find its form within chaos. I seek to capture the "beauty in the moment of collapse," where the boundaries of the self become fluid. Through both painting and video, I aim to visualize the subconscious echoes and the relentless energy of our multifaceted human condition.
