Kiyoto Ota (太田 清人) is a Japanese-Mexican sculptor.

Life

Kiyoto Ota studied at Ota moved to Mexico in 1972, currently living in Mexico City. He came to the country to study art and learn about Mexico and decided to stay.

Artistry

He originally wanted to be a painter, but in Mexico his interest turned to sculpture, working in lead, stone, iron and wood. For many years he sculpted directly into stone and wood. His more recent work has emphasized the interior of his sculptures, creating hollow spaces, often by joining pieces of wood in intricate ways. He believes the interior of these words guard the pieces’ energy. The exhibition 3 Casas Extraordinarias invites the onlooker to examine the interiors of three model houses. The three are made to be inhospitable, rather than comforting, such  as the one that “rains” on the inside. He is inclined toward primitive figures, generally circles and sphere, with a minimalist view. He contrasts his work with the abundance of things and technology today, believing it is necessary to look at simple and “real” things. His preferred material is wood, stating it is synonymous with life, nature and fertility. This is in contrast to his former work in lead which he now describes as poisonous, inanimate and of death.

Career

He has exhibited in Europe, the United States and various parts of Mexico. Ota teaches art at the Facultad de Arte y Diseño of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.