In 2021 a jury selected internationally acclaimed artist and Stratford resident Kellen Hatanaka to create a large, site specific mural for our community. Since then, we have been working very hard behind the scenes to realize this project and bring more public art to Downtown Stratford.
Kellen Hatanaka (b. 1987, Toronto, Canada) is a multidisciplinary artist who makes vibrant, figurative paintings and drawings that celebrate sport, design, history, and culture. His work considers race, tradition, and heritage as he explores the constructs of the sporting body and the nuances of Japanese Canadian experience. Hatanaka’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and has been featured in publications including Victory Journal, ArtMaze Magazine, and Graphite Journal. Hatanaka and collaborator Jon-Erik Lappano received the Governor General’s Award for their book Tokyo Digs a Garden (2016). He is currently based in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
He is looking forward to the opportunity to share his art and distinct perspective as a professional artist and BIPOC person in a way that will have an impact and encourage community engagement in Stratford.
“As a member of the community it is important to me to have a positive and active impact on the city and using my work is one of the most effective ways for me to contribute.” – Kellen Hatanaka
We don’t want to give too much away just yet, you’ll have to follow along to see the progress and wait for the final reveal this fall!
This project is supported by STEPS Public Art as part of I HeART Main Street. Thank you for the support!
