Jun Oson: SPOTLIGHT

YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY BEGAN IN 2005, AND YOUR SIGNATURE PEANUT-SHAPED CHARACTERS HAVE BECOME ICONIC. WHAT INSPIRED THIS DISTINCTIVE STYLE, AND HOW HAS IT EVOLVED OVER TIME?  

My roots in this character with the distinctive outline are in the British artist James Jarvis. When I was still a student, his illustrations were used in an advertisement for SILAS. It had a great impact on me and a great inspiration for me to go out on my own as an illustrator a few years later.

YOUR WORK IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS STATELESS, INCORPORATING INFLUENCES FROM BOTH JAPANESE MANGA AND GLOBAL ARTISTS. HOW DO YOU BALANCE THESE CULTURAL ELEMENTS IN YOUR ART? 

I certainly aim for a stateless style. I understand that this is extremely difficult, but I want to create a work that no one in the world has ever seen before.

⁠BEFORE BECOMING AN ARTIST, YOU WORKED IN ADVERTISING. HOW HAS THAT EXPERIENCE SHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON CREATIVITY AND THE WAY IT IS CONSUMED? 

I realized how quickly products are consumed, and how important quantity and production speed are rather than quality.

However, the more I learned about it, the more I felt empty.

YOUR ART HAS GAINED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION, ATTRACTING ATTENTION FROM ASIA, EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND THE UNITED STATES. HOW HAS THE RESPONSE DIFFERED ACROSS THESE REGIONS? 

I have not been able to visit all the areas so I can't see much difference between them. However, I am Asian, so it is easier for me to read the expressions on the faces of Asian people. I don't understand the expressions on the faces of people in Europe and America. I think it's a matter of getting used to it.

WHAT ROLE DOES HUMOR PLAY IN YOUR WORK, AND HOW DO YOU USE IT TO CONVEY MEANING OR EMOTION? 

In my earlier cartoon/animation style I used more straightforward humor in my work. That is difficult to do with the current abstraction work. But I am sure it will ooze out.

YOUR CHARACTERS HAVE A PLAYFUL, MINIMALISTIC STYLE, YET THEY OFTEN CARRY A SUBTLE SENSE OF COMMENTARY. ⁠WHAT KIND OF STORIES OR MESSAGES DO YOU HOPE YOUR AUDIENCE TAKES AWAY FROM YOUR ART? 

It would be great if you could feel the atmosphere they create, not just the cuteness on the surface! But you don't have to feel it.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED IN BOTH COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATION AND FINE ART, HOW DO YOU APPROACH PROJECTS DIFFERENTLY, AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT EACH? 

As a fully commercial illustrator, I thought it would be very interesting to see my work get some attention. Before the Corona Disaster, commercial illustrators and artists were completely separated in Japan. Things are a little different now, but I am proud of myself for having two faces: a commercial illustrator and an artist.

YOUR ARTWORKS HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN VARIOUS MEDIUMS, FROM PRINTS TO LARGE-SCALE INSTALLATIONS. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FORMAT TO WORK IN, AND WHY?

I am a rolling stone, like a flowing river. I generally accept all requests except those that are absolutely unacceptable. It is my great pleasure to connect with people around the world through them.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN 4BYSIX APPROACHED YOU FOR THIS COLLABORATION? 

Actually, I did not know 4bysix at that time. However, when I examined 4bysix's Instagram and website, I understood that they have very interesting activities.

WHAT DREW YOU TO WORKING WITH A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LIKE 4BYSIX, AND HOW DO YOU SEE ART AS A VEHICLE FOR SOCIAL IMPACT? 

It's great to see cool art helping the vulnerable in society. I don't think this kind of activity is often seen in Japan. I hope it will spread more in Japan.

⁠CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU CREATED FOR 4BYSIX? WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION, AND HOW DOES IT RELATE TO YOUR BROADER BODY OF WORK? 

This time my work is in abstract expression, which I have been painting recently. It is neither completely abstract nor figurative,
so I guess it is semi-figurative. I think some of the space-like pattern is visible because I left the ground of the panel that was
supplied. It looks as if you are floating in space and dreaming. Or maybe it's not that at all. It is interesting that semi-figurative
expressions are interpreted completely differently by different viewers.

4BYSIX AIMS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES THROUGH CREATIVE PROJECTS. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ART CONTRIBUTING TO THIS GOAL?

My contribution is only a small part of your project. Still, it would be great if we could contribute even a little!

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE TO CONVEY TO THE AUDIENCE WHO WILL ENCOUNTER YOUR WORK THROUGH THE 4BYSIX AUCTION? 

Enjoy!

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR ART, AND HOW DO YOU SEE THIS COLLABORATION WITH 4BYSIX PLAYING A ROLE IN YOUR JOURNEY?

It is really ideal for me that 4bysix, based in the UK, would collaborate with a Japanese artist in this way. I cannot imagine what
form it will take, but I know it will become my blood and bones and influence my future work.