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09

The TM JAPAN ART STUDIO:
Painting the World

Kento Matsuyama is taking the traditions and sensibility of his father’s art in new directions. As a painter, he is exploring depths of color. Just as profoundly, Kento shows interest in the idea of representation itself. His paintings are ironic: While they appear to be so realistic as to be mistaken for photographs, visual trickery is afoot. Namely, he asks us with his paintings to reconsider what we see in the first place: What are we looking at? His hyper-realism shows us the limits and range of perception. While this may sound abstract or perhaps intellectual, it’s not. Not at all. Instead, perhaps drawing upon the two years he spent in school in Osaka studying to be a comedian, Kento’s work is fun and even whimsical. Then, too, not being certain what he wanted to do as a teenager may have, ironically, allowed him to explore past boundaries. And at only twenty-five years old, and self-taught, the future is wide-open.

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Question: When did you start painting?


Answer: In childhood. I was inspired by my father and brother. It began as early as three years old!





Q: When did you realize or hope that you could make paining a profession or career?


A: Recently. This came about when I applied to have work shown in the Ishikawa Modern Art exhibition in 2021. It was at that exhibit that my painting, “Puberty,” was given the Hokkoku Prize, and I was recognized as, “One of the best artists in Ishikawa.”





Q: And before that?

A: Painting was kind of a hobby! I lived in Osaka for a couple of years. Studied to be a comedian. Worked in retail sales for medication.





Q: What materials do you use?

A: I make oil paintings.





Q: And commercial art?


A: Yes! I was commissioned to do a painting for a pet shop, and would love to do more commercial work, of course.





Q: How long does it take you to create one painting?

A: Six months.





Q: What are your ideal work conditions?

A: I love to have sounds in the background. Radio. Music.





Q: Do you use models for your paintings?

A: For, “Puberty,” for example, the girl in the painting is my friend. So I took photographs of her, and brought them back with me to my studio. As I paint, I look at the photos.





Q: Would you say that there are Japanese elements in your work? Or are you more of a so-called global artist?

A: I would say, “not at all,” in terms of Japanese elements.





Q: And what connections are there between what you do and the work of your father and brother?

A: I learned from my father and brother, and also have my own ideas and dreams that are totally different from theirs.





Q: One final question: Are there themes in your art that keep reappearing? Or are you open to the world?

A: For now, and the past few years, I’ve been fascinated by painting the human form. But that may change in the future!