Shimizu and Hase by Kristen Bruce

Contents

Page

Yuko Shimizu Ryohei Hase Bibliography

yuko

Fig. 1, Shimizu, Yuko (2011) Reimagining Japan

Fig. 2, Shimizu, Yuko (2013) Finding My Chi

Fig. 3, Shimizu, Yuko (2013) Red Polka Dots

shimizu

Fig. 4, Shimizu, Yuko (2016) Buddhism Spread

1 Fig. 5, Shimizu, Yuko (2014) Igloo and a Big Kid

Fig. 6, Shimizu, Yuko (2006) Global Custodian Magazine

Fig. 8, Shimizu, Yuko (2008) Morbito #2 Cover

Fig. 7, Shimizu, Yuko (2007) Playboy

Yuko Shimizu is a Japanese illustrator and illustration teacher at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Shimizu comes from an advertising and marketing background, working for 12 years in Tokyo in the corporate advertising world. She chose this career initially as she felt it wasn’t possible to make a living as an artist, and concluded that at least a job in advertising would satisfy her creative side. Years passed and Shimizu lived with a strong sense that she wasn’t doing what she was truly meant to do, and after her thirtieth birthday she made the firm resolution that she would move to New York City, where she had lived for a few of her teenage years, to study art. In 1999 she made the move, having chosen Illustration as the perfect mix between art and advertising. After graduating in 2003 with a MFA, Shimizu quickly became well-established in the illustration world, and was invited to return to the SVA as a teacher. Shimizu’s work shows clearly her Japanese origins, with it’s woodblock print

Fig. 9, Shimizu, Yuko (2017) Women’s March Poster

feel, ink and brush linework and also often through it’s muted colour palettes. There are some themes which are re- curring in her work, the most common being long flowing black hair, water, and polkadots. Shimizu certainly has a personal voice that is recogniseable throughout her body of work. When asked about her style, Shimizu states that

“style is not something you can force yourself to “look for” or “find”. You are you, different from everyone else, and your personal voice should already be within you. Learn to let that come out in your work.” Shimizu has worked on everything from book covers to subway posters and even an 80ft mural. She is also vocal about her opinions, especially when it comes to politics and human rights. In January 2017, she created a sign for the women’s march in New York City, which she and other marchers carried. Shimizu’s female characters tend to be very

Fig. 10, Shimizu, Yuko (2016) Serenity

strong, independent and powerful looking, so creating a character for the sign surely came easily. Shimizu also does not shy away from religious themes, often drawing creating pieces relating to different practices such as Buddhism, as seen in Fig. 4. She is fascinated by different cultures, and tries to travel as often as possible to soak up new environments. She says “Visiting places I have never been is one of the best ways to get yourself stimulated.” She often attends conferences and gives workshops overseas when possible. Shimizu’s technique is what I admire most about her work. I find the inking work to be really interesting to look at, and very unique. Her combination of traditional Japanese style inking, with the colour tools of photoshop is something that really fascinates me. Another thing that I really identify with is Shimizu’s hunger to learn about the world through her own experiences. I also love to travel, and hope that the experiences I have will inform my work.

2 Fig. 11, Shimizu, Yuko (2013) Yes! Dumbo Mural

Fig. 1, Hase, Ryohei (2009) The Last Thing We Do.

Fig. 2, Hase, Ryohei (2014) Dog.

Fig. 3, Hase, Ryohei (2015) Two, Being Dyed.

Ryohei Hase

Fig. 6, Hase, Ryohei (2011) Untitled.

Fig. 4, Hase, Ryohei (2016) A Woman With Five Beasts.

Fig. 5, Hase, Ryohei (2015) Yasagure.

3 Fig. 7, Hase, Ryohei (2008) Battle.

Fig. 8, Hase, Ryohei (2011) Untitled.

Fig. 9, Hase, Ryohei (2014) Dog 2.

Fig. 10, Hase, Ryohei (2014) Lion.

Fig. 11, Hase, Ryohei (n.d.) Repetition.

these works disturbing because they combine the beauty of a woman with a possibly dangerous, gross, dirty, wild animal. What makes Hase’s work beautiful is his attention to the overall colouring. In a lot of his work, he uses calm pastel colours including blue, light brown, pink, etc. His artwork is also very soft and smooth looking; there usually aren’t any sharp lines or corners. Lastly, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Hase makes the people’s bodies in his work Hase’s work is very dark and look very attractive, realistic, and their grotesque. According to him, it skin looks very soft and smooth. This expresses the darkness of his is one of the main aspects of his work that people consider to be beautiful. Ryohei Hase is a Japanese artist who works by creating his own personal work, as well as illustrations for others. He started his career by studying art as a part time student while working. Later he started studying in the Tama Art University, from which he graduated from in 2004. He then worked with Bandai Namco Games for four years, but he then left to pursue his career as a freelance artist in 2008.

mind which is sad and gloomy, but beautiful and strong at the same time. All of his work is digital, and he uses mainly Adobe Photoshop to create his artwork.

What makes Hase’s work unique is the mix of grotesque elements and beautiful colours. His disturbing topics range from references to death to pure chaos. In some of his work, Hase uses skulls, wounds, and blood to create a nightmarish atmosphere. In some of his work, he uses the lack of space to create a chaotic atmosphere. Most often, Ryohei Hase creates artwork with nude or partly nude women with rabbit or other animal heads. Many people find

The only comment Ryohei Hase has provided about his work is that it represents his mind and thoughts. His personal work doesn’t seem to be related to any current issues, politics, and so on – it really just seems like a product of his imagination. Some of his work could definitely be seen as controversial, but not because of his themes and content, but because of his style. While Hase is most known for his personal work, he makes most of his living by doing different illustration jobs, like designing CD covers, book covers, and magazine illustrations. He also sells prints of his personal work on his web-

Fig. 12, Hase, Ryohei (2015) Himopan.

site. Since all of his work is digital, he considers these prints as his original artworks, and he prices them accordingly. He also signs each print to add more value to it. He seems to usually sell a limited amount of about 10 of each print, so the prints get sold out fairly quickly. Hase also only sells prints of his most recent work. What I like about Hase’s work is the fact that he makes gross and scary things seem beautiful. Some of his work makes me feel quite uncomfortable, which is what good art should do. His work also makes the viewer wonder about the motif behind each individual piece. Hase’s artworks are quire mysterious and hard to explain, which leaves the viewer curious and sometimes confused. What I like most about Ryohei Hase is the fact that he doesn’t hesitate to express his thoughts, no matter how dark they might be. He rather draws about his thoughts and feelings than about current events or politics. I also find Hase’s way of working very interesting, especially his way of selling his art prints, which seems to be working effectively for him. What is bad about his way of selling art prints is the fact that he doesn’t provide prints of his older work - people who have only recently discovered his work won’t be able to get any of his older art prints.

4 Fig. 13, Hase, Ryohei (2009) Meaningless Scramble for More Room.

•Ackerman, T. (2011) Interview with Yuko Shimizu. Available at http://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/an-interview-with-yuko-shimizu/ [Accessed 2 March 2017] •Bello, G. (2011) Interview with Yuko Shimizu. Available at https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/11/a-conversation-with-yuko-shimizu-professional-magazine-illustrator/248942/ [Accessed 2 March 2017] •Launder, M. (2016) Interview with Yuko Shimizu. Available at http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/features/illustration/yuko-shimizus-new-book-shows-best-of-her-rich-surreal-work/#12 [Accessed 2 March 2017] •Marie Claire Taiwan (2015) Interview with Yuko Shimizu. Available at http://yukoart.com/blog/how-to-changeyour-career-and-pursue-what-you-love-an-interview-with-marie-claire-taiwan/ [Accessed 2 March 2017] •Metajive (2014) Interview with Yuko Shimizu. Available at http://steelmediadevelopment.com/insights/interview/ yuko-shimizu [Accessed 2 March 2017] •Shimizu, Y (n.d.) Website F.A.Q. Available at http://yukoart.com/category/qa/ [Accessed 2 March 2017] Images

• Shimizu, Y. (2011) Buddhism Spread in Harvard Divinity Bulletin. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/ work/harvard-divinity-school-bulletin-buddhism-issue/#8 [Accessed 2 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2015) Reimagining Japan. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/reimagining-japan-cover/ [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2013) Finding My Chi (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/runners-world-findingmy-chi/ [Accessed 2 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2011) Red Polka Dots. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/exklusiv/ [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2017) Women’s March Sign. (Image Online) Available at https://www.facebook.com/YukoShimizuArt/photos [Accessed 2 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2007) Global Custodian Magazine. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/global-custodian-magazine/#1 [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2014) Igloo and a Big Kid. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/planadviser-iglooand-a-big-kid/#2 [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2008) Morbito #2 Cover. (Image Online) Available at http://steelmediadevelopment.com/insights/ interview/yuko-shimizu [Accessed 2 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2007) Playboy. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/playboy/#1 [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2016) Serenity Cover. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/serenity-issue-1-variant-cover/#8 [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2013) YES! DUMBO mural x Sagmeister. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/ yes-dumbo-mural/#2 [Accessed 15 March 2017] • Shimizu, Y. (2014) Unwritten Apocalypse #5. (Image Online) Available at http://yukoart.com/work/unwritten-apocalypse-5/ [Accessed 15 March 2017]

•Hase, R. Ryohei Hase Official Website [http://www.ryoheihase.com/] •Ovsyannykov, I. (2012) “Terrifying and Chilling Illustrations of Ryohei Hase” Inspirationfeed [http://www.inspirationfeed.com] (July 4.) Available from inspirationfeed.com/inspiration/illustrations/terrifying-and-chilling-illustrations-of-ryohei-hase/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] •Unknown author, (n.d.) “The Hauntingly Beautiful Artwork of Ryohei Hase” Grape [http://grapee.jp] Available from http://grapee.jp/en/44313 [Accessed 27.2.2017] Images •Hase, Ryohei (2009) The Last Thing We Do. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/images2/page/repetition.html [Accessed 27.2.2017] •Hase, Ryohei (2014) Dog. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] •Hase, Ryohei (2015) Two, Being Dyed. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] •Hase, Ryohei (2016) A Woman With Five Beasts. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2015) Yasagure. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2011) Untitled. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2008) Battle. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/images2/page/room.html [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2011) Untitled. Available at: http://www.ryoheihase.com/images2/page/rabbit.html [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2014) Dog 2. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2014) Lion. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (n.d.) Repetition. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2015) Himopan. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/ [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (2009) Meaningless Scramble for More Room. Available from http://www.ryoheihase.com/images2/page/repetition.html [Accessed 27.2.2017] • Hase, Ryohei (n.d.) Non-Title. Available from http://ryohei-hase.deviantart.com/art/non-title-177749394 [Accessed 15.3.17]