KEI ITO
Kei Ito is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the legacy and ongoing impacts of nuclear trauma through the conceptual framework of photography. As a third-generation atomic bomb victim living in the U.S., Ito’s practice is deeply rooted in his generational history, using his family’s experiences to investigate the intergenerational and cultural effects of nuclear warfare. His work confronts the pervasive legacy of the Atomic Age, examining its implications on memory, identity, and collective consciousness.
Primarily utilizing camera-less photographic techniques, performance, and artifacts, Ito creates large-scale installations and photographic projects that excavate hidden histories while projecting visions of the future. His conceptual approach often employs light as a metaphor for nuclear exposure and memory, evoking the blinding flash of the atomic bomb and the lingering afterimage in cultural memory. This unique use of light and shadow allows him to visualize the invisible consequences of radiation, bridging the gap between the seen and the unseen.
Ito’s installations act as temporal monuments that collapse the boundaries of past, present, and future, inviting viewers to reflect on the shared human cost of nuclear warfare. By transforming personal narratives into universal experiences, his work fosters empathy and challenges perceptions of victimhood, history, and identity. His projects not only preserve memory but also confront the ongoing relevance of nuclear narratives, urging audiences to contemplate humanity’s shared legacy of resilience and remembrance. His practice transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, connecting historical events to contemporary issues while envisioning a future shaped by collective healing and growth.
Ito’s artistic contributions have been mounted as large scale solo exhibitions and countless group shows globally. Notably, his pieces are held in institutional collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Norton Museum of Art, the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, the Candela Collection, the Eskenazi Museum of Art, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the John Hopkins University Museum.
