Interview with Hiroki Suzuki
At first glance his art may look like it is all made digitally. But, if you look a bit more carefully you will notice that they are full of texture that is impossible to create with a computer. That's right, Hiroki Suzuki actually make his art by cutting origami, or sometimes ripping or folding it. Join us as we find out how he is able to create such edgy work using classic methods.
How did you get started as an artist?
I worked as a designer at a design firm for a bit after graduating from art school, but I decided to study illustration at Palette Club thinking maybe it would help me in my work. My start as an artist came when I made pieces for my classes.
Was your style like this from the beginning?
Yeah, I've had pretty much the same style from the start. I used to make block prints, but it was pretty hard to make block print artwork using the practical skills learned in class within the time we had. I arrived at this technique of using origami when I started thinking maybe there was a quicker method for constructing images out of colored planes like in block prints. I had never needed texture on my prints so I had always used sheets linoleum, and so I think this is why I was also attracted to the flat texture of origami (as opposed to collages in magazines and so on). At the present I only use 4 colors of origami per piece as a rule, something that has also carried over from when I was making prints.
I see. Your techniques may be orthodox, but the resulting artwork looks very edgy. They have a sense of motion and stillness, like you have captured a single moment in time, as well as an almost overwhelming brightness. Who are some artists that have influenced you?
The cutouts (collages) Henri Matisse made in his later years were a big influence for me. I had always had this image of cutouts as being somewhat "unrefined," but when I saw Matisse's creations they just had this powerful sense of vibrancy, like there was this whole other world. I think they had a big part in why I started using paper with vivid colors. I always strive to make the piece as simple as possible when starting a project.
My artwork is actually very simple. I use normal origami (colored paper), and don't employ any special techniques. But, I find it interesting how this simple method is still able to produce striking images.
The zine "Silent Comedy Cut-Outs" you released recently contains humorous 1-page stories. When I introduced it on Building's account on the Chinese SNS Sina-Weibo, it was quite popular. I was actually surprised you had such comedic sense (laughs).
I think most everyone who knows me was surprised (laughs).
As the title of the zine implies, these are stories conveyed without words, so I hope even people from abroad should be able to enjoy them.
Text_Kenji Mori (BUILDING)
Translation_Luke Baker
Hiroki Suzuki x Mayuko Sase
"LINGERING LIGHT"
Friday 12th - Thursday 18th Aug, 2011 / 12:00 - 20:00
Nidi gallery
http://nidigallery.com/
Hiroki Suzuki
He graduate of Musashino Bijyutsu Daigaku. Started freelancing from 2007. His fresh and fashionable style has been getting rave attention from fashion and music industry. He uses traditional Japanese techniques like ripping and cutting of Origami papers, as well as using textile technique of Monyou.
About the artwork of his.
Portfolio page on BUILDING(coordinate agency)
Click here for the profile page
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