Kazuki Takamatsu

"Alone" by Kazuki Takamatsu, 2010 Contemporary artist Kazuki Takamatsu creates breathtaking forms by employing both modern graphic design and traditional painting. Glowing in a pitch-black abyss, Takamatsu's figures are mysterious and ethereal as they interact with the environment, other people, and objects around them. They are almost always surrounded by a hazy fog, however, they are not still. They are arranged in dynamic poses which seem like a freeze-framed moment in time. The process behind each piece is arduous, to say in the slightest. Takamatsu uses Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) to create and arrange his figures on a plane, then carefully hand paints the work using gouache (watercolors and white opaque pigments) and acrylic.

"Defense Instinct" by Kazuki Takamatsu, 2009

In an interview with Hi-Fructose Magazine, Takamatsu says that he attempts to "describe each character as well-known and average". However, I feel that his characters go beyond humdrum and can be largely symbolic. Despite lacking facial features (some are even veiled or wear masks), the figures convey emotion through the way they interact and are posed. For example, the maternal figure in "Defense Instinct" has a gas-mask on, which hides her facial expression, yet she looks down upon the child and grips him tightly to her chest, which conveys a feeling of intimacy and protective steadfastness.

"Exploitation" by Kazuki Takamatsu, 2011 

The combination of CGI and painting should not be seen as 'cheating', as the compositions and placing of each detail is all Takamatsu's. However, when browsing through Takamatsu's work, the most pivotal question I kept asking myself was 'Why?' Why does Takamatsu take the time to paint each of the figures when he could print out his CGI work? Perhaps he finds significance in paint medium, or simply chooses to demonstrate his skill in tricking the eye. Overall, I find Takamatsu's work to be quite innovative and impressive. He addresses raw human emotion and feeling through his cutting-edge technique.