Japanese Artist Izumi Kato Collaborates on Sculpture Milwaukee Beer Label
When Sculpture Milwaukee's Executive Director and Curator John Riepenhoff approached Japanese artist Izumi Kato about using a close-up of his sculpture Untitled (2024) for a beer can label, Kato agreed. The sculpture was displayed near the Milwaukee Art Museum from June 2024 until last month, drawing over three million viewers.
The vibrant image now decorates the newly released Kato Candy IPA, brewed by Untitled Art in Waunakee, as a fundraiser for Sculpture Milwaukee.
“I’m very happy that my work has been seen by so many people. My art doesn’t contain social commentary, and my creativity is deeply personal,” Kato said. “Still, I always hope that my work is open to anyone, including those outside the art world. I want each viewer to interpret it in their own way.
“I’m honored to be part of this project, promoting the beer culture of Milwaukee as a collaborator. I hope people all over the country will enjoy this delicious beer.”
There was one condition: Kato requested that Riepenhoff send some of the beer—a take on Untitled Art’s popular Cotton Candy IPA—to his studio in Tokyo.
About the Collaboration
- The artwork, Untitled (2024), was installed near Milwaukee Art Museum for nearly six months.
- The beer, Kato Candy IPA, supports Sculpture Milwaukee as a fundraiser.
- Untitled Art, based in Waunakee, brewed the beer inspired by their Cotton Candy IPA.
- Kato’s art is personal and open to interpretation rather than socially driven.
Author’s summary: Izumi Kato’s sculpture inspired the design of a local IPA beer label, blending personal art with Milwaukee’s beer culture in a unique, collaborative fundraiser.