Risako Katsumata
Interview with Emi Price
Over steaming chai and black sesame lattes, I had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Risako Katsumata. Risako is a non-binary Sydney creative who’s multidisciplinary work is a manifestation of the unique and intimate facets of their identity. Not one to be confined to a single medium, their range extends from choreographing and performing dance, to photography and production, all the way to fine line illustration. A jack of all trades is a master of none might apply to some, but definitely not to Risako.
Shot by Charlotte Macs
You grew up between Tokyo, Taiwan, Hawaii, Shanghai and Beijing. Do you think this transient adolescence had a large impact in forming your creative expression?
100% - the amalgamation of my experiences very much shapes what I put out to the world. When I express creatively, I share a piece of myself, which makes creating so vulnerable and immersive. I feel the concepts in my work explore specific touchpoints in my experience existing in and moving through several different spaces.
What continues to inform your creative expression?
The main theme that I started to work with last year was my queerness and intersectional diaspora. I explored this in a film photographic series, “奇妙な幻想 kimyō na gensō“, focusing on the temporary euphoria felt when finding a space where I’ve truly felt at ease. In a movement piece, I began to explore the entanglement of my queerness and cultural identity. Being somewhere that is not designed to “hold” you in the way that it holds others confronts you in many ways. It is so complex! And I want to continue unfolding.
Since moving to Sydney, have there been any specific scenes that have helped shape your creative journey?
Until 2 years ago, I moved through a few creative scenes searching for places I felt comfortable in. More recently, I found community at the Bearded Tit in Redfern. They are a talented, sensitive and loving creative community. Also the Red Rattler Theatre, Worship Queer Collective, Queers of Joy and Yes Exhibition. Art spaces are inherently political. Depending on the curation, unconscious biases and worldviews, it can be really challenging for marginalised folx to exist, let alone thrive in. All of these communities have held space for artists with diverse experiences. Each of us have the power to uplift and include those who have less privileges than ourselves.
Shot by Charlotte Macs
Do you ever suffer from imposter syndrome in creative spaces? Have you found a way to combat it, or are you still navigating it?
I’m definitely still navigating it. I used to think of imposter syndrome as a sign that I’m not meant to be here, or that I’m not good enough. And it’s like no, that’s not the case. I’m realising that I need to accept that I will feel this way. Like, it’s okay to feel this way, it’s only natural to feel this way; you are growing. And that’s actually been really affirming. By accepting it, I've been able to hold myself more safely.
What has been your proudest creative achievement so far?
One of the biggest creative achievements for me has been learning how to work creatively at the same time as managing my chronic illness. Another is the performance with AnSo (Sydney hyperpop artist) for Club Kooky at Sydney Opera House last June. It was the first time I'd done group choreography pieces since the time I used to teach at a dance school. This was such a good opportunity to revisit this frame of thinking with an evolved style that had been brewing throughout lockdown and it was also such an honour to collaborate with all the incredible artists!
So what is next for you?
I will be doing a joint artist residency at the Red Rattler Theatre with (Sydney hyperpop artist) AnSo in August. It will be a 6 week residency, and we will be creating our joint body of work – working with new sounds and new movements. Knowing us, it will be a very quirky and weird one, which I’m really excited to give life to.
Top 3 collectives or events for dance performances in Sydney?
1. Club Chrome
2. Destructive Steps
3. Bangarra Dance Theatre
Who do you think is the most exciting young & emerging creative in Sydney?
Issy Parker
@easy.parker
