Born in 1989, Aichi, Japan,Ako Goto is a sculptor whose practice delves into the interplay between fiction and reality, a theme that stems from her formative years growing up in a theatrical environment. Having graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Arts and Music with a focus on sculpture, she integrates her personal experiences with her conceptual approach to create thought-provoking works that blur the boundaries between imagination and material existence.
Inspired by her mother’s career as a stage actor, Goto’s work is deeply rooted in the dualities of theatrical performance. Early memories of participating in stage design and questioning the line between staged narratives and real life have shaped her artistic exploration. Her primary medium, concrete, serves as both a tangible and metaphorical bridge between these dimensions. To Goto, sculptures act as "actors," bringing fictional worlds to life while maintaining their material grounding.
Through her practice, she challenges audiences to navigate the ambiguity of perception, asking: Is this fiction, or is this reality?
Her notable solo exhibitions include "Installation of Terracotta" (Lixil Gallery, Tokyo, 2012) and "Dear Gray" (Art Space & Cafe Barrack, Aichi, 2018). She has participated in prominent group exhibitions such as the Aichi Triennale and the Seto Contemporary Art Exhibition and received awards including the Kyokubi Prize (2008), the International Takihuji Art Award (2011), and Gunma Youth Biennale Prize (2019).
Through her work, Goto creates immersive, stage-like spaces that evoke both the physical weight of the materials she employs and the ephemeral nature of the stories they inspire. Her art serves as an invitation to reflect on the fragile boundaries of perception, offering audiences a profound exploration of the complexities of contemporary existence.