TAPPEI | 『TAPPEI 3rd Solo Exhibition “BRAIN”』INTERVIEW （2/3）

ー I think angels are best known in the motifs drawn by TAPPEI, but where is the idea of the painting?

TAPPEI： I have always loved walking. I still spend about 30 minutes back and forth between the house and the studio every day. At first glance, I try to keep in mind that the picture of my tattoo is realistic. For example, even a boy whose neck is Gyagnagna is drinking coffee. I'm thinking of living somewhere. That feeling of life often gets hints from walks. For example, dry laundry or manhole on the road.

What do you care about when drawing a tattoo?

TAPPEI： Of course, I draw a tattoo as a work, but tattoo is something that will remain in that person's life. I often ask you to leave it alone, but depending on your wishes, it is tailored to the person's taste. Be careful not to put out your ego too much. Even if you draw the same picture, there is a good thing because it is a picture drawn on the skin. There is also the fun and charm unique to tattoo that it is cool because it is put in this part of the body.

Do you paint on your skin? Do you paint on paper? What's the difference?

TAPPEI： You'll change the expression. I like to draw on paper, but I like tattoos as much as I eat while watching my tattoos (laughs). You both like the pictures that make you laugh.

ーYou have been collaborating so far, but can you change your style not only by drawing media but also by output?

TAPPEI： That's right. For example, when I collaborated with UNDERCOVER, I was told not to just scan and print the illustrations, but to draw the illustrations directly on the T-shirt. I thought it was good. I print it based on that, but I wanted the real touch of drawing it on the fabric of a T-shirt. I can sympathize with that, and I thought that there was a respect for what I made (products).

ーHow are the works of color and monochrome separated?

TAPPEI： Tattoos will last for a lifetime, so I think the color will leave too much sense of time when I painted it. In addition, there is a respect for the culture of Japanese carving with color, but I think the first tattoo in history was a tattoo like myself (line only) tattoo. However, pictures other than tattoos do not stick to color or not.

ーWhat about artists who have been influenced so far?

TAPPEI： That's Keith Haring, right? I can't imitate that. It may seem easy to draw, but I can't draw, and it's great to think so. The idea I drew on the subway in New York was also groundbreaking. I think that such activities, starting with the fact that it is cool to have a tattoo on my body, doing various collaborations and doing solo exhibitions, are also influenced by Keith Haring.

 ー Are you influenced by horror manga artist Hideshi Hino?

TAPPEI： That's right. I really like Eg. Also, in the past, I used to draw pictures with detailed drawings. Now, I think it's real to move my hands and draw, so the style is different.