Claudia Kogachi joins Gow Langsford

Kogachi, whose work spans painting, sculpture and installation, blends contemporary visual language with deeply personal narratives. Her practice is marked by a fusion of materials and abstract forms that evoke personal stories while engaging with broader cultural and social themes.

Through her art, Kogachi explores her own unique narratives in a poignant way, often incorporating those close to her to create intimate yet universally resonant works. These narratives are brought to life with a sense of light-heartedness, which she describes as a central tenet of her creative approach.

Born in Awaji Shima, Japan in 1995, Kogachi graduated with First Class Honours from The University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts in 2018. Since then, she has made waves in the art world, winning the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award in 2019 for her painting Mom Wait Up and in 2022 she was the new artist in residence at Karekare House on Auckland’s West Coast.

Her work is housed in numerous collections, including The Dowse Art Museum and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetū, and she is represented by Phillida Reid Gallery in London and Jhana Millers in Poneke, Wellington.

Anna Jackson, Director of Gow Langsford, expressed her excitement: “I have followed Claudia’s work since first being impressed by it at Artspace in 2020, and I am thrilled to now represent such a talented artist. Her ability to explore her own personal narratives in such a powerful and vulnerable way sets her apart, and we are excited to bring her work to a wider audience.”

Kogachi’s first solo exhibition with the gallery is scheduled for 2026. In the meantime, she will be featured in the group exhibition New Ways of Being, opening at the City Gallery on January 28.