Junko Yamamoto is a multimedia artist who creates modern layered oil paintings. She also enjoys printmaking and creating 3-dimensional installation art, finding inspiration for her designs everywhere.
When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person?
I started to draw when I was three years old and I knew I wanted to become an artist.
What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?
I’m not thinking to be different. All I can create comes out the way it is.
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When you prepare yourself for a session of creative work, how do you decide what you’ll work on?
I have a certain sense (or smell) that I want to bring to life and try my best to make that happen. Painting is a truly hard medium and most of the time it is a struggle. But in a short moment, you have full control of what you want to achieve. I keep painting for those moments.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
Yes and no. I do plan what will I work on, but also love the spontaneity of the paintings.
On the other hand, when I’m working on my soft sculpture installations I have to have pretty solid ideas of what I’m going to do in terms of scale and working with the space. However, when I’m installing the piece I could play around within the realm of installation structures.
How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?
Deadlines are always great pressure to push me to execute a body of work. I work on 8-10 paintings at a time. I work with oil paint and while some of them are drying, I can work on other ones. It usually takes at least 3 months to complete a painting.
There is some kind of realm or sense I try to bring to life by painting multiple layers of colors. Some sections of the area in the canvas will give me a hint or inspiration on where to go from there.
Working across many different media, how do you organize all of your creative supplies?
I have my painting studio for painting. When I work on my soft sculpture, I use my sewing/ office/dining room.
I always make a mess when I’m sewing sculptures. For printmaking, I rent a printing studio. I put myself in the place where I can be most productive.
Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?
I don’t sketch much for my paintings because my process is more spontaneous. However, for my installation art, I make several sketches for the mock-ups.
Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
Everything including nature, but mostly textiles (Kimono fabrics), Ukiyoe, Japanese comics which I grew up reading.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
Every year is different. I work on one or two projects as the opportunities present themselves.
Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?
My work is based on the idea of unity as a whole. We are all made of the same elements.
By layering multiple colors and shapes, I’m trying to define what exists between cells, atoms, and molecules. What binds us together? That is my inspiration. The organic shapes in my paintings and sculptures are inspired by cells, molecules, atoms, minerals, and also some recognizable shapes from pop culture.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
Pushing wet, gooey paint around is always fun. Painting is truly a hard medium and it challenges me every time.
Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?
My work explores the energy that unites all existence, from the vast universe to microscopic cells. Our bodies and nature are composed of cells and molecules, linked by this energy.
Spaces within and around us, even those that seem empty, might represent this universal binding force. Individual consciousness is interconnected through space, suggesting that my consciousness is part of this universal connection.
The idea that “all is one” and everything is interconnected is the foundation of my work.
How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?
Simply, I get tired of doing the same thing. Experimenting with new approaches leads me to develop new styles and ideas.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
By looking at my past work. That helps me see what I want to do next.
What is your favorite accomplishment?
My favorite ones are the ones that challenged me the most.
Exhibiting my large mobile installations at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Gallery 4 Cuture and Seattle Asian Art Museum was super fun and challenging.
Where can people see your work?
https://junkoyamamoto.com/
https://www.jrinehartgallery.com/artists/junko-yamamoto
Follow Junko on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junkoyamamotostudio/
Interview posted June 2024
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