Interview
Natsuyo Takahashi
Natsuyo was born in Saitama prefecture, Japan. After graduating from Musashino Art University Short-term College, she started working as a web designer, and at the same time, started her career as a writer based in Ginza.
From 2009, she started making presentations overseas and participating in group exhibitions and art fairs. The motif of her work then was ‘aggregate’ and was often expressed in 3D or 2D.
In recent years, she has been working on the ‘Type’ series, which uses Chinese characters as a motif, and the ‘Grow’ series, which uses a tape measure to make organic matter.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started creating art after studying at Musashino Art University Junior College of Art and Design in Japan. My works are based on the motif of ‘aggregate’. When I started, I wasn’t sure of my method of expression, so I worked in a variety of styles, including 2D, 3D, and installation.
Around 2014, I started to create works using acrylic plates. I felt that by layering acrylic plates, I could express more of an assemblage. This was the period that led me to my current style.
Then in 2019, I started creating the ‘Type’ series of works in which I print letters on acrylic sheets with silkscreen. This idea came from my hobby of printing T-shirts. The process of printing was very effective for me as it gave shape to my intuition immediately. In 2020, I added the Episode series as a spin-off. While the ‘Type’ series is a set of personalities for a certain word, the ‘Episode’ series is a visualization of the process experienced by a certain person.
I use kanji because it is one of the most common expressions we use as Japanese. English is used in many countries and has a global image, so I thought it would be easy to relate to as a first impression of the work.”
“In the ‘Type’ series, each kanji character expresses different personalities: tastes, thoughts, and so on. By changing the font and expression— that is color and printing— I want to convey the fact that the meaning of a single kanji character, a word created by assembling these characters is universal, but each person has their own individual consciousness, and there is a reality that is not bound to a single value.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“The message I want my art to convey is that you may face prejudice and discrimination because of differences in politics, religion, culture, or values, but I don’t want you to be defeated. I want you to feel the beauty of your individuality without denying your own value.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“Trends have never influenced my style or method of expression. However, since I use words and symbols as motifs in my works, I feel that they have the potential to change with the times.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“The process is somewhat fixed, so I only make rough plans. The most time-consuming part of completing a single work is selecting and balancing the characters, both English and Japanese.
When printing with silkscreen, the ink mixture and coloration is different each time, so adjustments must be made on the spot, which is why we often improvise.”
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“First I decide on the words and colors to be used as motifs, the number of acrylic sheets, and the size of the work. This stage is the most time-consuming. Then I make a silkscreen plate. I then print by looking at the ink mixture, the degree of printing, and the balance of the overlap. During this time, I let my senses take over. Finally, I frame the printed acrylic board. For materials, I use acrylic plates of 1-2 mm thickness, a silk-screen printing plate, and inks for silk screening.
With the ‘Type’ series, the work consists of multiple acrylic panels printed with a single Chinese character. Then I use other words that have the same meaning and print it on multiple acrylic boards. The layering of acrylic panels creates depth and expresses a deeper individual consciousness.
The ‘Grow’ series (seen below) uses paper, or vinyl-like, with a tape measure and memory printed on it. I create a model that imagines vegetables and growth. Since the tape measure is an entity that can visually judge something apart from its individuality and attractiveness by the act of measuring, it also has familiar organic ridges and silhouettes. By creating it using this, you can feel the value of existence from a uniquely different perspective.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My work connects me to society because it gives me the opportunity to learn about the cultures and values of the world.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“My favorite artwork is ‘Episode Type 001’ and ‘Episode Type 002’ from my collection (shown below). This is an accidental piece. There was a time when we had more printed acrylic sheets than we had planned, and when we layered each of them, they became an interesting expression. It created a different worldview from the ‘Type’ series, which is based on a single word.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Although I mainly exhibit in Japan, I have also exhibited overseas. I would like to continue presenting overseas if the opportunity arises in the future. Some of my exhibitions are listed below:
2020 - Collezione D'Arte Giapponese A Milano, at Chie Art Gallery, Milano.
- 14th Monaco - Japan Artistic Meeting 2020 @ Auditorium Rainier III, Monaco.
2019 - ART POINT in London 2019 at Espacio Gallery, London,UK.
- Winter Group Shows. Group exhibition at Onishi Gallery, New York, USA.
2017 - Winter Group Shows. Group exhibition at Onishi Gallery. New York, USA.
2014 - Group exhibition at Onishi Gallery, New York, USA.
- Affordable Art Fair, New York, USA.
You can see a full list of my exhibitions here.”
