A fusion of art and laughter, AYAKA FUKANO's smile-inducing illustrations.
JOURNAL STANDARD, which always makes unique efforts, has joined hands with Yoshimoto Shinki Theatre, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, to release collaborative items. This time, JOURNAL STANDARD has produced goods featuring illustrations of the four chairpersons of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, who are active on the stage. There are pop and cute illustrations printed on them. Artist AYAKA FUKANO, who works while raising her children, talks about the project and the message she wants to convey through her work. Her works are relaxed and friendly in a good sense. We take a closer look behind the scenes at the birth of her works.
Celebrating 60th anniversary! The theme is "What about it?
Since its inception in 1959, Yoshimoto Shinkigeki has always faced our lives and brought laughter to them. In their long history, they have created numerous gags and have seriously studied laughter while cherishing each one of them. It is no exaggeration to say that they have become one of the traditional performing arts.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of Yoshimoto Shinki Gekijo. The theme for the anniversary year is "What's wrong with that? Although the theme may seem to make one wince, it can also be taken as a sign of the company's determination to "go on from here.
Based on this humorous theme, "Journal Standard" has created collaborative goods.
Each item is printed with illustrations of the four comedians who serve as the chairs of Yoshimoto Shinki Gekijo. The items are a clever mix of "comedy" and "art," creating pop items that you will want to use on a daily basis. The illustrations were created by artist AYAKA FUKANO, who actively engages in art activities while raising her children, and we asked her to talk about the topics related to this collaboration and the particulars of the creation process.
A work recognized by art lovers.
AYAKA FUKANO / Artist
During her impressionable adolescence, she spent time in a rural town in Germany, where she first came into contact with art. In 2014, she began her career as an artist with the theme of "love," which is not something that can be overflowed in the world, and with the belief that "the love we have now must be conveyed now" after her beloved grandfather developed dementia. He has also interacted with famous artists, such as creating the cover jacket for Mongol 800's "Treasure" and illustrations for Shonan Nofu's goods.
You started as an artist in 2015, what were you doing before that?
FUKANOI was working as a regular company employee. I had been drawing pictures since that time, but I did not call myself an artist. I painted only as a hobby.
What made you decide to become an artist from there?
FUKANOWhen I had accumulated a lot of paintings, I decided to hold my first and last solo exhibition at my own expense. I asked a friend's gallery to hold it for a little less than a month, and a lot of people came. I had unexpectedly received a lot of positive feedback, including calls from friends who had been estranged from me. I had an unexpected response. I thought it would be a good idea to keep going.
Did you study painting somewhere?
FUKANOI never had that (laughs). I used to doodle on the edge of notebooks when I was little. It was an extension of that. But I liked this kind of drawing from that time, and for some reason, all I picked up were things with unusual designs, like sundries.
So you are all self-taught? That's amazing.
FUKANOI can't draw well. I am not good at drawing portraits, and they all end up looking the same (laughs).
You held a solo exhibition on your own, and from there, various clients offered you work, didn't they? How did you pave the way to get there?
FUKANOSome of the people who came to see my exhibition gave me jobs, some of my friends introduced me to their acquaintances, and some of them sent me messages through Instagram. I guess I really do have social networking sites to thank for that (laughs).
You also did the artwork for Mongol 800.
FUKANOIt was also triggered by a message on Instagram from one of our members, Seisaku (Uegeng).
That's great.
FUKANOI had painted the picture that became the basis for that jacket as a work of art. He bought it through SNS. I heard that Mr. Seisaku is an art lover and collects many things, so I was very happy to have someone like that buy it. He later told me that he was thinking of releasing a song called "Treasure Island" and wanted to use that painting as the jacket.
It is a great honor for an artist to be recognized by art lovers, not because he is famous.
FUKANOYes, I do. As I mentioned earlier, I did not study painting, so I still feel insecure. But now that I am being seen by many people, I am gradually gaining confidence.
We want to make the future as bright and peaceful as possible.
Please tell us where the inspiration for your work comes from.
FUKANORather than inspiration, I always have a feeling in my mind that I want to paint something like that. I always want to draw a scene from a movie or a favorite photograph in my own way. However, my drawing ability has not caught up to that level (laughs). So now I am steadily drawing lots of pictures to improve my ability to express myself. I have many motifs that I would like to draw. So I still have a stock of ideas.
What kind of culture has influenced you?
FUKANOI don't have a specific culture, but if I had to name one, I would say Mother Teresa, John Lennon, and Martin Luther King.
They are all kind of peaceful people.
FUKANOThat's right. I am attracted to such people. When I was a student, we had to research historical figures for homework. I always researched such pacifistic people.
Is there a reason?
FUKANOI don't know for sure. I have always had a vague feeling of wanting to do something for others, and I am sure that has something to do with it.
Do you express those feelings through your paintings now?
FUKANOThe theme of "love" underlies all of my paintings. I do what I do because I want to fill the world with love. I want the people who see my paintings to be as happy as possible.
Does the presence of your children also encourage this feeling?
FUKANOYes, I do. I feel that way more strongly now that my son has been born. I want to make the future he lives in as good as possible. I want a peaceful world without bullying and racism. I want to make the world a place where we can respect each other more.
All works are hand painted. It is a one-shot world.
For this project, FUKANO was approached because they wanted a bright, pop artist to illustrate the popular comedy of Yoshimoto Shinki Gekijo. What did you think when you received the offer?
FUKANOI was very happy and immediately said, "I'll do it! I said, "I'll do it! At the same time, I felt like it was fate. Actually, I once wanted to be a comedian.
Oh, really?
FUKANOI want to help people by making them laugh and smile. I was so moved by the movie "Patch Adams" that I went to see it four times at the movie theater.
It's about a doctor who healed his patients through the power of love and laughter.
FUKANOWhen people are laughing, they can forget about the things they don't like. I was amazed by its power. I wanted to become a comedian so that I could make people laugh and spend more time having fun. I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do.
FUKANOBut I also aspire to be a dancer or a singer as well as a comedian. However, only a handful of people are able to achieve success in those fields. I had given up on myself, thinking that I could never be like that. But now that I am working as an artist, I feel strange that I was able to work with people I had longed for, even indirectly, such as the "Mongol 800" for their jacket work, or being involved in the production of goods for Yoshimoto Shinki Theatre, as I was this time.
What did you focus on when you painted this piece?
FUKANOWe try not to make our products embarrassing for our customers to have in their daily use. For example, a T-shirt should be designed in such a way that the customer would think, "I want to wear it! I think it's important to make a design that customers would want to wear.
Where do you see the difference compared to your usual work?
FUKANOI've seen them match letters to make them pop, or not draw the torso of a person, but just the upper body and face.
The body strangely emphasizes the sense of character.
FUKANOI myself am not very good at drawing the torso. For better or worse, this may be my individuality, but I don't want it to come out too much. The fundamental theme of this project is to reach as many people as possible.
FUKANO, do you usually draw by hand?
FUKANOBasically, I draw by hand. In the beginning, I couldn't draw on a computer, so I used a pen and drew on paper. At first, I even delivered my work on paper, but I realized that in this day and age, I couldn't go on doing that, so I learned to use a computer. However, media creator Hiiroku told me, "It is important to learn to use a computer to broaden your range of expression, but it is also important to continue drawing by hand because it is part of your identity.
I see.
FUKANOIf I color on the computer, I can get an even and beautiful finish, but I prefer to draw on paper and color in with a pen. Sometimes I make mistakes, so I have to start over from the beginning.
That would be a waste of time....
FUKANOOnce I get to the coloring stage, I make fewer mistakes. The first thing I start with is the outline of the face, followed by the hair, and finally the facial parts. The most difficult part is drawing the eyes. If I don't like it, I have to start all over again. In this case, I first drew the outlines and hair of all the four heads of the troupe, and then added the facial expressions of each one at the end.
A one-shot deal. Naturally, it is a task that requires a great deal of concentration.
FUKANOIt would have been better if I could have drawn each of them separately, but then I would have lost the sense of unity. I had a hard time getting all four of them to look exactly the same while drawing them. That was the point I really focused on.
We want to make more people feel positive.
What does the process of painting bring to FUKANO?
FUKANOIt's a sense of fulfillment. I really enjoy painting. I originally had a longing to be a comedian, dancer, or singer, and I think it was because I knew somewhere that I wanted to output. I was never sure which method was best for me, but recently I have been receiving more and more comments from people who are mothers like me and who are raising children, saying, "I sympathize with you," and I have finally found a method that fits me.
Do you have any goals for the future?
FUKANOI want to try more things. I also write sentences, so I would like to increase such work. I would also like to draw more pictures and deliver my feelings to more people. I hope to make the people who see my work feel positive by doing so.
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*To celebrate the reopening of the Namba store on March 21 (Thursday, national holiday), customers who make a purchase of 5,000 yen (excluding tax) or more at the Namba store will receive a special novelty bag on a first-come, first-served basis.
