Product type:
Original artwork
Paper collage
70 x 100 cm
2024
This series consists of five large-format paper collages, each measuring 70 x 100 cm. The consistent scale is intentional to enhance the visual impact of each portrait while emphasizing the dramatic and often enigmatic nature of the depicted figures. The series explores the aesthetics, archetypes, myths, and moments of contemporary life in Japanese culture through a playful yet meditative lens.
Each collage is meticulously crafted by hand, using only layers of colored paper cut with scissors and a scalpel. The tactile quality of the medium contrasts with the often digital and stylized motifs, lending a human touch to the scenes that flirt with the digital, the historical, and the surreal.
Atari features a portrait of an old-school robot smoking a cigar, surrounded by a rich tapestry of Japanese visual elements. It's a nod to retro-futurism—a blend of nostalgia and science fiction fantasy—combined with contemporary glitch aesthetics. The title "Atari" appears in Japanese characters in the upper right corner, anchoring the work linguistically and culturally.
Kabuki Actor - My Name Shall Not Be Forgotten draws on the grandeur and pathos of classical Japanese theater. With layers that reflect the stylized makeup and elaborate costumes of kabuki, the character stares defiantly forward, embodying themes of legacy, achievement, and the permanence of identity through art.
Tengu Creature - Do Not Fear captures the mythical, mischievous spirit of the Tengu—a supernatural being from Japanese folklore. Here, the figure hovers between threat and protection, a reminder that fear and fascination often share the same face.
Samurai - Honor Above All depicts a stoic warrior figure in full regalia, not as a historical reconstruction, but as a symbolic representation of discipline, loyalty, and inner code. The minimalist background contrasts with the elaborate armor and invites the viewer to reflect on the concept of honor in today's fractured cultural landscape.
Japanese Teenager - What brings the series into the present, portraying a modern youth caught between tradition and uncertainty about the future. With stylized elements and an ambiguous expression, this character poses more questions than she answers, leaving room for the viewer's own projections.
Together, these five collages form a fragmented narrative—each piece a portrait, a persona, a symbol. They explore how identity, mythology, and aesthetics intersect and evolve, particularly when viewed with reverence and reinterpretation through the lens of another culture.
