Initial Impressions of the Tokyo Art Scene by Amy Brereton

Initial Impressions of the Tokyo Art Scene

Amy Brereton (Tokyo)

Just a few weeks ago, I found myself standing on the 52nd floor of Tokyo City View in Roppongi, gazing out on the skyline of a city that never ends. There is something surreal about living in the largest city in the world. Tokyo truly seems like a city full of infinite possibilities, and as an artist, this is nothing but inspiring. I was placed in Tokyo as an ALT on the JET Programme five months ago. Prior to this, I had been studying illustration and graphic design at Emily Carr University in Vancouver. When I’m not working as a teacher’s assistant, I love to immerse myself in the local art scene by attending gallery exhibitions and going to concerts. I still have a lot more to experience, but so far my impression of Tokyo’s art scene has been overwhelmingly positive.

Japan seems to have an appreciation for art unmatched by anything I’ve experienced in Canada. Growing up, I was always made fun of for loving comics,

video games, and animation, but here in Tokyo, it brings me so much joy to see people of all ages and occupations enjoying manga and anime. Geek culture here doesn’t share as much of the stigma that it once did in North America. You can find anime and videogame characters on everything from advertisements, packaging, school supplies, and toiletries— even themed cafes. This kind of acceptance of illustration makes me feel proud to be an artist, as well as inspired to keep creating.

Furthermore, as someone who is still acquiring Japanese language abilities while living in Tokyo, I find myself increasingly more appreciative of illustration and art as a method of communication. Illustration is a universal language in a sense, sometimes being the only thing I can rely on besides Google Translate when I’m basically illiterate in the Japanese written language. For instance, when I’m at a store looking for a particular item such as shampoo, I feel thankful when I find a bottle with explanatory images since I can’t read much of the Japanese. On more than one occasion, illustration and art have made my daily life here much easier. Being such a large city, Tokyo offers gallery spaces and events for both up-and-coming and established artists alike. Some of my favorite gallery experiences so far include seeing installation artist Shiota Chiharu’s work at an exhibition titled “The Soul Trembles” at the Mori Art Museum, and stumbling upon Final Fantasy illustrator Yoshitaka Amano’s work in Shibuya at Kikka Gallery.

Tokyo certainly knows how to cater to specific fan bases. As someone who loves shojo manga and the acclaimed film Akira, I took great pleasure in attending both the Nakayobashi’s 65th Anniversary Exhibition at Yayoi Museum and the Akira Art of Wall exhibit at PARCO Gallery. Larger fair events such as the Tokyo Art Book Fair, Yokohama Handmade Marche and Design Festa provide spaces for independent artists

will consist of 12 illustrations and accompanying explanatory pages which express a morbid sense of humour in combination with an exploration of horror and astrology tropes. The project is definitely inspired by the amazing people I’m meeting and culture I’m being exposed to here. I feel truly blessed to have been placed in Tokyo as a JET and to experience the Tokyo art scene to its fullest. My love of illustration has only grown stronger since arriving here five months ago.

Amy Brereton’s illustrations and comics present the tender duality of our world—a balance of gloom and beauty simultaneously. This harmony reflects that there is as much luminescence as there is darkness and that we have the power to choose what we want to see. Themes in her work include surrealism, horror, and femininity. Aesthetically, her work is inspired by low-brow comics, anime, and tattoo flash.

to sell and promote their work in a collaborative environment. Additionally, the expansive music and nightlife in Tokyo offers many opportunities to meet other creatives. At concerts such as Tohji, Bladee, Tzusing and Virgen Maria I have been able to meet many other aspiring artists to collaborate and network with.

The ar tist community is encouragingly suppor tive, perhaps especially so due to the intrinsically international nature of Tokyo. Many creatives that I meet are here only temporarily on a one-to-three-year visa, and are therefore enthusiastic to promote their work and to collaborate with others while they still have time. In particular, Tokyo Love Hotels, an event held monthly at Sankeys Penthouse in Harajuku, offers opportunities for foreign and local artists to showcase their work to a large audience. This event promotes artists of all genres including DJs, musicians. jewelers, designers, performance artists and illustrators, making it a memorable and inclusive event that fosters an environment where creatives from all across the globe can meet.

Currently, I am working on an illustration series with graphic designer Tanner Nielsen (@psi.tallstar on Instagram) titled “Horroscopes” in which I am drawing the twelve zodiac signs as characters one might find in a horror movie. This series Instagram: @amybrereton Website: amybrereton.bigcartel.com Contact: amybreretonart@gmail.com