Featured Artist: ZAnPon

About ZAnPon:
Born in 1981 in Osaka, Japan. ZAnPon enrolled in the Osaka University of Arts in 2000 and began drawing in January 2004. His unique style of line drawing reaches beyond the imagination and explores freely beyond the confines of abstract or concrete art. Inspiration for his drawings come from everyday life, but his work is a genre of it’s own; it surpasses any of the current art genres and begs the viewer to look beyond the “rules” of art. At first glance, his pieces look like a combination of spontaneous lines, swirls, and colors. When one looks closer, one can see tiny hidden figures, animals, automobiles, flowers, and other little creatures. When one takes a step back from the piece, however, one can see the the lines converge to form a larger image, like an autostereogram ("Magic Eye" poster), but hand-drawn.

One could say that these intricate drawings saved his life. ZAnPon had a trying childhood and seriously considered suicide in his college years, and one day he decided to grab a pen and paper instead, and began drawing. “This is how I saved my life” he says, “In the beginning, my drawing was just my screams and pain. But then those little creatures appeared, and gradually I felt at ease...To keep drawing is to keep living for me.”



He brought his work to a Digmeout creative seminar in September 2004 and has been a part of this innovative Osaka art agency ever since. He currently works as an event coordinator for the Digmeout art cafe. He sees this as an opportunity for himself to use communication and connection with others to support art. “I thought art was more personal, but here I found myself so much more social...drawings have become more than just personal relief.”


Since his feature in the art magazine Digmeout 05, he has collaborated with many Japanese companies. His illustrations have been used in posters for Osaka radio station FM802, as well as on ATM cards for Resona Bank as a part of their “RESONART” project of 2006.


Q&A with ZAnPon:

Q1. When you begin a new piece, do you always have the larger image in mind already or does that come later as you draw?
A1. I do not create composition before I create my art work. I would say it is vaguely inside of me, I feel it; but it is not solid or clear. As I draw, the overall image gets clearer and clearer.



Q2. Do you usually draw every day?
A2. I do draw every day.

Q3. How do you usually choose the colors/mediums that you will use in a piece?
A3. I usually add colors and choose my mediums as I go along creating a piece; I don't usually plan this ahead of time.

Q4. You were recently here in Portland for the "Digmeout Strikes Back!" show in August. What was your favorite part of being here in the US?
A4. The biggest difference between a US audience and a Japanese audience is their reaction to my art work. US patrons are very direct and express their opinions about my work directly.
I love that; When I talk to the audience who like my work, they express it so directly and freely, it creates great energy inside of me. I feel very encouraged as an artist. See, it is all about sharing and communication and I love it.



Q5. What was your favorite kind of food to eat while in the US?
A5. Hamburgers! The meat patties in US hamburgers are so big!

Q6. Are you planning on living in Osaka for the rest of your life or have you ever wanted to move somewhere else?
A6. I haven't really thought about it.

Q7. What's a normal morning like for ZAnPon?
A7. Meditation.

Q8. When did you begin to take your art seriously?
A8. My art is very meaningful to me because of what it's done for my life, but I do not feel like i am living my life as an artist at this time. I am drawing to hopefully give positive energy to people who view my work. That's all i think. Luckly, I am able to make a living through my artwork at this time; but if it get difficult to do so, I would be happy to work a regular job and keep drawing and painting.

Q9. What kind of music do you like listening to?
A9. My favorite band right now is Rage Against the Machine.

Q10. Other than art, what hobbies or passions do you do in your spare time?
A10. I don't think it counts as a hobby, but when I have time I like to just hang out with my friends.



Q11. Do you have some future projects coming up?
A11. Because of the recent show with Compound Gallery, I was able to attract attention from one of the creative directors from Adidas. He was very interested in my artwork and we have been discussing possible projects.

Thank you so much for reading by biography/interview, and I am looking forward to visiting the US again soon!
-ZAnPon

Website link related to the artist
www.digmeout.net
Artist pieces available on our web store
http://www.justbecomplex.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/25_176