ABOUT THE ARTIST: HARO KAGEMOTO

Haro Kagemoto was born in Tokyo, Japan.  He spent his childhood in Kalihi Valley and Waipahu, Hawaii.  With encouragement from his high school teacher, Robert Bow, he began to focus primarily on the study of photography. For three years, he studied black-and-white photographic imagery and refined his darkroom printing techniques. After graduating, his expertise and skill level allowed him to obtain his first job in the field with Technicolor, Inc. in the Kodachrome processing department. During this time, he also pursued additional studies in camera and darkroom techniques. In 1972, he completed additional coursework in camera and earned certification from The School of Modern Photography in New Jersey. 

Mr. Kagemoto worked in commercial black-and-white film processing, darkroom custom mural printing and as a freelance photographer. He also studied lithography with Ron Kraver and intaglio etching with Edward Stasack. In 1977, Mr. Kagemoto received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking with a minor in photography from the University of Hawaii. He was thrilled to have had the opportunity to teach summer printmaking workshops on a neighboring island in Hawaii, an experience that made him realize that he truly enjoyed teaching as well. 

In an effort to expand his educational background, Mr. Kagemoto resettled in upstate New York to teach printmaking at Communications Village in Kingston. He attended the State University of New York at New Paltz and studied intaglio etching with Benjamin Wigfall and photography with John Seaholm. His early artistic influences included the colorful designs of Peter Max, the expressive photo-etchings of John Morita, the vibrant intaglio etchings of Pat Jow, and the insightful black-and-white photographs of Drew Carolan. In 1979, Mr. Kagemoto received a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking, with a minor in photography from the State University of New York. His thesis exhibition consisted of photo-etchings, intaglio etchings and lithographs from his series, “The Divers” and black-and-white photographs from his ongoing series, “Silent Music.” 

Mr. Kagemoto traveled to California, where he taught printmaking at the University of California Berkeley Extension, later serving as a visiting lecturer in printmaking and drawing at San Francisco State University. Mr. Kagemoto served as an assistant director for Wonderland Production between 1982 to 1989, where he produced graphic design, photographic and video presentations. He edited a video short titled “Hendrix Experience” and directed two video documentaries titled, “Visitations” and “Ancient MesoAmerica.” 

For the duration of his career, Mr. Kagemoto’s artwork has been presented in numerous exhibitions as well as in many public and private collections throughout the United States. He is a member of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the American Film Institute, a lifetime member of American Mensa and a member of Mensa International. He is also a lifetime member of the Institute of Supply Management. Mr. Kagemoto has been notably included in the 23rd and 24th editions of Who’s Who in the West and Who’s Who in American Art. 

These days,  Mr. Kagemoto dedicates his time  taking photographs, developing larger bodies of work, and managing the sale of his art online.  He currently lives in Oakland, California with his wife, artist Pat Jow,  their daughter, Emerald, and their adorable cats.