CG Artist">Chiho Aoshima, CG Artist
CHIHO AOSHIMA
CG ARTIST
TOKYO, JAPAN
http://www.blumandpoe.com/chihoaoshima/
Internationally renowned Japanese CG Artist Chiho Aoshima recently conversed with Woosta.com to answer a few questions about her art, inspiration, and earning a living through her creations.
How did you become an artist, and at what point did you realize that you wanted to be an artist?
It was all triggered by a compliment I received from Takashi Murakami. Ever since then, I have thought wistfully how nice it would be if I could become an artist.
Were you artistic as a child, or was it something that developed as you got older?
When I was a child I drew a lot. As art classes in school got more and more boring, I wanted to make more drawings, but I didn’t know what to draw. There was a long period where I felt like that.
Why is digital art your chosen medium?
I learned how to use a Mac by chance at one of my jobs. I thought, I can express anything with this.
Does digital art give you more freedom in achieving your vision?
Yes.
How would you describe your style of art?
I hoard my spontaneously-drawn materials, and from time to time, I combine them.
What type of training have you received to assist you with your art?
Each project I undergo is like a new training. I am constantly breaking through situations that seem completely impossible to deal with.
Do you think that your type of art is more dependent on a mastery of skills, or just having an inexplicable talent?
The former.
What inspires you?
The beauty of nature, and the acquisitiveness of humans.
Describe the process for you from your initial vision to the finished product.
I make a sketch and decide what I want to draw.
I create the data.
I expand my vision of the scene, making more and more data.
I blend everything at the end.
I change the colors, change the composition, and then it’s completed.
Do western audiences have a different reaction to your work in comparison to Eastern audiences?
Yes. While I can’t really say, I think that people in different countries like different kinds of pictures. I think that something in my pictures relates directly to the lifestyle and inner world of people living in a certain country, and the way they feel about my work is influenced by that.
Where do you think the urban art movement is heading?
I’m not sure.
When did you first get recognition for your work?
I don’t really remember.
How did you become a sponsored artist? What does being sponsored involve? Does it take a lot of time and hard work?
Takashi Murakami and I met by accident, and he saw my drawings. A year later, he invited me to participate in an exhibition. In terms of my artwork, he tells me if he thinks I’m making mistakes, and gives me hints when I’m stuck.
In your opinion, what has been your greatest accomplishment to date, or the most memorable moment in your career?
The Carnegie International.
How did you become involved in the Union Square project in New York City?
Tom Eccles at the Public Art Fund arranged for my project as a part of the “Little Boy” exhibition at the Japan Society.
What inspired you to create “Magma Spirit Explodes”?
I think it was a National Geographic special feature on natural disasters. Also, I’ve read many memoirs and stories about earthquakes, and although it scares me, I’m also inspired by the feeling that you can’t fight against nature.
Are there any particular artists that inspired you?
I’ve liked different artists from time to time. One who I’ve liked non-stop since my childhood is Redon.
What advice do you have to offer to those interested in pursuing a career in digital art?
I am actually an analogue person, rather than a digital one. (I am actually very bad with computers.) I don’t think I have any good advice to give.
Are you able to earn a living by selling your art?
Right now I might be able to, I don’t know about the future.
My company job is an important factor in my life, and I cannot leave it.
What do you still wish to achieve as an artist?
Up until now, I’ve been involved in projects above and beyond my desires, so I’ve put a lot into just keeping up. I’d like to start something strange on my own.
Are there any cities in particular that you’d like to exhibit in that you haven’t had the opportunity to as of yet?
None in particular. I would like to walk along the beaches of Mexico with an iguana.
Do you have any upcoming exhibits that you’d like to promote?
I will be in a group exhibition called “Ecstasy” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles opening on October 9th.
Thanks so much for the interview, Chiho. And best of luck to you in your future endeavours.Special thanks to Mayuko Otsubo of Kaikai Kiki New York, LLC for all of her help with this interview.
Posted: January 2nd, 2008 under Chiho Aoshima.
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