This fall 2018 issue focuses on "graffiti." Graffiti culture is said to have originated in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York, with people using spray paint and felt-tip pens to draw on walls and trains. In recent years, activities such as "legal walls," where city walls are cleaned and transformed into legal mural canvases, have spread, and graffiti is gradually gaining recognition in Japan as well, becoming integrated into people's lives.

This time, we interviewed nine painters who will be performing live painting at "SOUL CAMP 2018 at ISETAN," which will be held from Wednesday, September 12th to Monday, September 17th (holiday). The first interview is with Hirotton, known for his style influenced by punk and hardcore rebel music and skater culture, and for his works that feature motifs of nature such as plants and animals, as well as a political message. We spoke with him in late July, when he was present at his solo exhibition "NO TOMORROW" held at HENRY HAUZ in Harajuku.

Event Information

Hirotton Live Painting

□September 12th (Wednesday) 10:30-20:00

□Main building, 6th floor = Event hall / In front of pillar D-8

▶Click here for a list of articles about "SOUL CAMP 2018 at ISETAN MEN'S"

Born in 1986, he moved to London after graduating from art school. After approximately four years of activity including solo art shows, skateboarding, T-shirts, CD jackets, and flyer design, he moved his base of operations to Japan in 2012 and has been working as a painter ever since. He is strongly influenced by the punk scene and skateboard culture, and expresses his surroundings, such as living things and nature, as well as political themes, through his own unique filter.

"The title of this solo exhibition, 'NO TOMMOROW,' embodies the meaning of 'Paint As If There's No Tomorrow.' At first glance, it might seem like a negative phrase, 'There is no tomorrow,' but a positive phrase ('Paint As If There's No Tomorrow') is hidden within. I've also included some optical illusion-like works in this exhibition; if you change the angle, you see something different, right? That's actually the theme of the exhibition. I want viewers to be observant and to feel things through their own individual sensibilities."

As he explains, this solo exhibition featured many works that blended ominous skulls with his favorite motifs, such as plants and animals in nature. His works are characterized by delicate lines and a realistic touch, but surprisingly, after graduating from high school, he studied metal welding and other subjects at Osaka University of Arts, rather than painting. However, what greatly changed his values and his life was his stay in London, England. Originally a fan of London punk, he was inspired by a trip to London during his studies, and after graduating from university, he returned to England and stayed there for an extended period.

-NO TOMORROW-

"I didn't have any specific goals, but I just went there. The skaters I was living with there were making their own zines and things like that. The quality wasn't particularly high, but I was really influenced by their attitude of 'just putting things out there' and their passion. Of course, I didn't have any materials or tools there, so I couldn't do metalwork or anything like that. So, the first thing I could start with was painting. I don't think I would have started painting if I hadn't gone to London."

That's where his career as a painter began, primarily using Posca pens. "Posca pens are portable and the ink flows freely, so when painting on walls or other surfaces, you can draw smooth lines without smudging. Even in the UK, there are people who import Posca pens from Japan. That's how high-quality this tool is. Last year, I collaborated with an American painter named BB Bastidas, who is the same age as me, on a joint exhibition, and that's where I discovered the appeal of acrylic paints, like the ones I'm using this time. I've incorporated them extensively this time."

This is an exhibit from the solo exhibition "NO TOMORROW" held at "HENRY HAUZ" in Harajuku in late July. From Hirotton's Instagram .

Regarding his style, which emphasizes attention to detail, and the frequent use of animal and plant motifs, he says: "I've always been drawn to graffiti that's drawn with incredible detail. Now that I think about it, I've always loved animal encyclopedias and nature documentaries on NHK. I also love insects, and when I was little, I even wanted to become an entomologist (laughs)."

The "5-Minute Drawing" series, which was featured extensively in this solo exhibition, also clearly reflects his stance as a painter. Some pieces convey strong social messages despite their simplicity, while others seem to express intense emotions. "Usually, it's a mix of whether the message or the motif comes first, but with this '5-Minute Drawing' series, I base my work on lyrics from my favorite songs, lines from movies, or ideas that come to me in everyday life, and then I quickly draw something in about five minutes. Lately, I've become more meticulous, so it actually ends up taking about 30 minutes (laughs)."

-INVISIBLE-

Finally, we asked paint artist Hirotton about punk and skater culture, which are central to his work. What has he gained from these cultures? "I think it's the DIY spirit. I print my own T-shirts instead of sending them out to a professional printer, because I think that way you can convey more passion. If you can do it yourself, that's what's important."

NEXT> Towards the live painting at 'SOUL CAMP 2018 at ISETAN'