Japanese Artist Izumi Kato Collaborates on Sculpture Milwaukee-Untitled Art Beer
When Sculpture Milwaukee Executive Director and Curator John Riepenhoff requested permission from Japanese artist Izumi Kato to use a close-up image of his sculpture Untitled (2024)—displayed near the Milwaukee Art Museum from June 2024 until October 2025—for a beer can label, Kato agreed.
This vibrant image, seen by over three million visitors during the sculpture's installation, now features on the newly launched Kato Candy IPA. The beer is brewed by Waunakee-based Untitled Art 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 request from Kato: he asked Riepenhoff to send some of the beer, a variation of Untitled Art’s popular Cotton Candy IPA, to his studio in Tokyo.
Summary
Izumi Kato’s sculpture image now decorates a special IPA, linking his art with Milwaukee’s beer culture in a national fundraiser collaboration.