FEATURED ARTIST
PAST FEATURED ARTISTS
ARTIST LIST
INFO FOR ARTISTS
SUBMITTING ART
FOR CONSIDERATION
If you are interested in showing your artwork at Compound Gallery please contact Matt & Katsu at katsu@compoundgallery.com and matt@compoundgallery.com

MISSION STATEMENT
After years of promoting the American art scene, Compound Gallery has realized that something is missing... independent and underground Japanese artists have no voice here and we want to change that. Each time we travel to Japan, we meet more of these exceptional artists, and are impressed by their innovative, fresh ideas. At the same time, the American art scene is hungry for new and original artists to follow. It is time to expose the American audience to Japanese artworks. It is time to bring together the American art collector and the Japanese artist. This is our goal at Compound Gallery.

 
POSTERS AT AZ-ART.NET
Robb Sturtcman - Web Manager

 


Naoshi

Introduce yourself...

I was born in the northern part of Japan in Iwate Prefecture in 1979.

I started my artistic career creating postcards for Gips Studio.

I have been showing my Suna-e (Sand Art) art work at the galleries in USA, Italy, Mexico and Shanghi China.

Describe your art...

I create 2D art work with Sand. This style of art work is called "Suna-e" in Japanese. "Suna-e" directly translates to "Sand-Art".

I am totally in love with this traditional Japanese art form. I feel each grain of sand has a unique characteristic. It is impossible to fix once I make a line or fill in a color. I need to have intense concentration and skill.

I get so excited when the art piece is created. I keep creating this art work for the feeling of pure pleasure I get when it is completed.

It is an amazing feeling that I cannot describe in words.

1. What are you currently working on?

I am working on a solo show for May and September of this year. I am also participating in group shows in Chicago and Rome besides the current show at Compound gallery in Portland.

2. Why is art important?

I like both visual and creative stimulation. When I see something totally from my imagination, I get so excited. I wish for my art work to create the same effect on the viewer. It is always my pleasure meeting people through my art work.

3. What do you think people walk away with after viewing your art?

I hope people will feel and enjoy something very familiar, even though in realty it is not a familiar character or situation.

I also wish to get people interested in the Suna-e art form.

4. How does your typical day unfold?

I am usually drawing or painting while listening to my favorite music. When I get tired of drawing, I watch Japanese comedy TV show. I think Relaxation and Laughing have a strong connection and "Laughing" is a very important part of my life. If you can live happily every day, it will affect your creativity.

5. What was the most significant event in your artistic life?

It was the Shanghai art fair of April 2007.

It was my first art show in a foreign city.

I learned a lot about art and met various people there.

It was a milestone in my art career.

I positively changed my attitude toward art and grew stronger as an artist after this event.

6. What is your favorite medium and why?

It is Sand!!. I am in Love with Suna-e!

7. What artist do you admire most?

Kin Shiotani (http://www.kinshio.com/)

He gave me an opportunity to start my career as a illustrator.

He has a career as painter, poet and writer.

I love all of his creations and admire his creativity in multiple fields.

He is also a very interesting person. He has traveled all over Japan and is full of amazing stories.

8. What is your dream commission?

Someday, I would like to make a timeless children’s book.

9. What are you listening to right now?

I love Gwen Stefani and Basement Jaxx.

I have seen their concerts in Japan and I was amazed with their creativity and amount of entertainment in their shows.

Listening to music and going to music festivals is a very important part of my life.

I get so much positive energy from it.

10. What are your future goals in the art world?

The art style of Suna-e is not known in the world.

I would like to create a new genre of Sand Art.

11. You make sunae art. Could you explain why you chose this rare art form to work in?

I enjoy every second of the process of Suna-e. It is a combination of detail work and accuracy.

It fits my personality. The sparkle and feeling of sand while I am working with it makes me feel very comfortable. I also love the appearance of Suna-e. It is very pop and at the same time it is very detailed. It is more unique than other art forms.

12. What is your opinion of traditional Japanese arts and crafts?

I think Japanese art is unique.

It has strong characteristics of the people of Japan and their feelings. I wish there were more places to show this art outside of Japan.

I am eager to show my work outside of Japan and would like to create something that people outside of Japan can appreciate.

I will keep creating art that is pop, while at the same time remaining traditional, unique, familiar and detailed. Very eccentric art.

visit Naoshi online at www.naoshii-u-iii.com

available Naoshi artwork