Chiharu Shiota and Mami Kataoka Receive France's Order of Arts and Letters
On September 8, the French ambassador's residence in Tokyo hosted a ceremony where Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota and Mami Kataoka, director of the Mori Art Museum, were honored with appointments to the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France. Shiota was recognized with the Officier degree, while Kataoka received the Chevalier distinction, with Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen presiding over the event. Born in Osaka in 1972 and currently residing in Berlin, Shiota is acclaimed for her installations that delve into themes of life and memory, having represented Japan at the 2015 Venice Biennale. Kataoka has been at the helm of the Mori Art Museum since 2020 and is set to co-curate the 2027 Helsinki Biennial. Established in 1957, the Order acknowledges remarkable achievements in the fields of arts and literature.
Key facts
- Chiharu Shiota and Mami Kataoka were appointed to France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres on September 8.
- Shiota received the degree of Officier; Kataoka received the rank of Chevalier.
- The ceremony took place at the French ambassador's official residence in Tokyo and was officiated by Ambassador Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen.
- Shiota, born in Osaka in 1972 and based in Berlin, represented Japan at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015.
- Shiota won the 61st Mainichi Art Award in 2020 and the Japan Foundation Award in 2024.
- Kataoka has been director of the Mori Art Museum since 2020 and directed the National Center for Art Research from 2023 to early 2026.
- Kataoka co-directed the ninth Gwangju Biennale in 2012 and directed the 21st Biennale of Sydney in 2018.
- Kataoka will co-curate the 2027 Helsinki Biennial and head the 2026 Roppongi Art Night in Tokyo, opening in October.
Entities
Artists
- Chiharu Shiota
- Mami Kataoka
- Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen
- Harison Butler
Institutions
- Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- Mori Art Museum
- French Ministry of Culture
- National Center for Art Research
- National Museum of Art
- Centre Pompidou
- Gwangju Biennale
- Biennale of Sydney
- Helsinki Biennial
- Roppongi Art Night
- Venice Biennale
- Grand Palais
- Japan Foundation
- Mainichi Art Award
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Osaka
- Japan
- Berlin
- Germany
- Tokyo
- Paris
- France
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Sydney
- Australia
- Helsinki
- Finland
- Venice
- Italy