S-GATE is an office building brand dedicated to supporting ever-evolving companies and business professionals. As part of its brand update, Code-a-Machine has been appointed to oversee the art curation. In alignment with the S-GATE philosophy—which emphasizes spaces designed for well-being—we select artworks that offer a sense of serenity and comfort to all who visit.

For S-GATE Hakata Station East, we have incorporated public art by Sakamoto Chinoko, an artist based in northern Kyushu. Inspired by the forms found in everyday architecture and flora, Sakamoto creates ceramic works with a distinct, organic texture. Through a meticulous approach to glazes and slips, she develops unique formulas to achieve the perfect nuance of color for each specific form.

These characteristics harmonize seamlessly with S-GATE’s design code—noted for its striking use of greenery—to create a space that is both bright and tranquil. The display includes pieces inspired by the flora and landscapes of northwestern Kyushu; together with the Hakata-themed vegetation, these works form a unified installation that flows throughout the space.

Furthermore, by featuring an emerging artist who is set to expand her presence on the global stage, we embody a vision of shared evolution alongside the next generation of business professionals at S-GATE Hakata Station East.

The Public Art Concept for S-GATE Hakata Station East

A common space nestled within a stone-brick town, where fountains play and greenery flourishes, drawing the community together for a brief stay. A moment to catch one’s breath and refresh the spirit—In the entrance of S-GATE Hakata Station East, we open such a space dedicated to well-being.

The works of artist Sakamoto Chinoko, with a form that resembles both botany and architecture, convey an impression of an archaic presence refined by a contemporary sensibility. Having lived and worked between Europe and Japan, Sakamoto creates a body of work that serves as a meeting point for the light and flora of northwestern Kyushu and the memory of the bright, serene stillness of European streets and courtyards.

In the entrance of S-GATE Hakata Station East, this one-of-a-kind “commons”—created through the union of local greenery and Sakamoto’s art—offers a space for deep breaths and quiet reflection, providing a small spark for the senses in the daily lives of all who pass through.

Artist’s Profile

Sakamoto Chinoko

Born in 1992 and a 2016 graduate of Camberwell College of Arts, Sakamoto has been based in Nagasaki since 2018. She began her practice in ceramics during her university years, utilizing hand-building techniques and drawing inspiration from a personal collection of gathered motifs and forms. She employs original glazes developed through her own unique formulas, conducting daily experiments to achieve colors and textures where tradition and the contemporary coexist.

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