A Life's Work in Ink – The Sanae Sakamoto Exhibition at Sato

 

It began with the strike of a gong. At the opening on 18 September 2025, Sanae Sakamoto — aged over eighty — stepped onto the tatami stage in Sato's inner courtyard. Before a full house, and accompanied by the sounds of Japanese instruments played by her son, she created two large-format ink paintings: Bamboo (Take) and Dream (Yume). With assured brushstrokes and a quality of focused composure, she captivated the room in a state of quiet fascination. Throughout that evening, the rooms at Sato were charged with a vibrant creative intensity.



The Exhibition

The exhibition extended across all of Sato's showroom spaces, bringing together 70 works that spanned the art of calligraphy and contemporary ink painting. These were pieces that, in equal measure, moved the soul and provoked quiet thought. Looking back, it was the individual story in every brushstroke that invited visitors to pause and linger.

The exhibition also offered visitors the opportunity to purchase an original piece of Sanae Sakamoto's art for their own home and make it part of their daily lives.

Moments with the Artist

The exhibition was defined by more than just the art on the walls; it was shaped by the personal encounters with Sakamoto herself. Alongside a morning event in September, the evening of 4 December 2025 left a lasting impression. Surrounded by an audience, Sanae Sakamoto glided her brush and ink across the washi paper, bringing the subtle nuances of calligraphy to life and allowing those present to experience her craft first-hand. This special occasion offered a deeper insight into her philosophy and her life’s work.

The closing event on 21 March 2026 brought this journey to a close—leaving us with cherished memories of the artist’s quiet yet powerful presence.

A Beauty That Lingers

For Sato, it was a particular privilege to offer Sanae Sakamoto this stage. Her art embodies precisely what has guided us from the very beginning: an understanding of aesthetics that finds its truest depth in simplicity and stillness.

We would like to thank Sanae Sakamoto for this inspiring time, and all our guests for their visits and the meaningful exchanges that made this exhibition so special.

The exhibition Tao and Zen by Sanae Sakamoto was held from 18 September 2025 to 21 March 2026 at Sato, Ausstellungsstrasse 39, Zurich.

Ausstellung Sanae Sakamoto bei Sato in Zürich

 

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