In the studio, he goes to the canvas with a blast.
From the beach, we come to Sho's studio and store in Yokohama. The place is filled with Sho's favorite things.
Sho:The name of this place is "THE SHOW room. It is both a showroom for [CROWBAL] and my name is Sho Watanabe, so it is also my room.
I understand that you also do the painting here.
Sho:As for the store, we are open from Tuesday to Saturday, but I draw in the morning while the store is open (laughs).
Do you have any influences or favorite works?
Sho:I don't have any particular artist in mind, but I lived in the U.S. when I was young and saw the real lives of local artists. I was influenced by the DIY culture, such as how they spend their time off to take care of their families and how they silk-screen print T-shirts and other items in their one-story garage. I was influenced by DIY culture. I think that kind of style is cool, and I like artwork that has a weedy spirit to it. Also, I am still shocked when I go to private exhibitions of my seniors and other artists around me, and it makes me realize that I have to seriously face my art.
What kind of music do you usually listen to?
Sho:Are you okay? Do you want me to turn it down? (Laughs) While I can't travel very much because of Corona, one of my seniors told me that even if I can't go somewhere, I just have to listen to the latest in music, so I check out pop music and Billboard. Basically, I like rock, but I also listen to classical and jazz, and here I also put on Pantera, gory stuff, and (hip-hop) Cypress Hill (laughs). Sometimes, relative to the canvas, my mentality loses out and eats me up. At those times, I listen to music that makes me feel rebellious, like punk or hardcore, and it stirs me up.
All of the arms are made by cutting and pasting vintage American comic books, a technique characteristic of Sho's work.
Do you think music has a big influence on your work?
Sho:That's right. For example, today I came back to this space after surfing, put on some mellow music, and while drinking a little, I suddenly thought, "Oh, I'm tired," and I came up with a gentle painting or a loose T-shirt.
I heard that you have many friends among musicians.
Sho:I respect musicians. When you listen to music you loved when you were young, it suddenly brings back memories of that time, doesn't it? In other words, that's what's resonating in my mind. I am not a musician, but I can leave a legacy as a painting. I want my paintings to be seen by many people, and I have many friends who support me. I want to leave behind a bomb or a stimulus that will betray those people in a good way, and I want to paint original works that people will say are like my way of life, or are like Sho's.
