YUGO.’s solo exhibition DEFY will be held at SHUTL in Higashi-Ginza, Tokyo, starting on November 29 (Friday).
YUGO. is an illustrator known for creating artwork and merchandise designs for various artists, including Suchmos, go!go!vanillas, and NIKO NIKO TAN TAN. His striking portraits, characterized by vivid colors and refined touches, convey a punk-infused rebellious spirit, showcasing a unique charm.
Additionally, YUGO. expands his creative boundaries by engaging in live painting improvisations alongside live performances and DJ sets, as well as organizing music events with musicians he is close to. In a recent email to NiEW, he shared his thoughts on the ideal coexistence of art and music, which he strives to achieve.
No matter how great the music is, if the artwork or the fashion and presence of the musicians aren’t cool, I feel like I can’t become a fan. The way the sound is perceived changes as well.
I was originally influenced by Warhol’s banana and the artwork of the Sex Pistols, which led me to start painting seriously. I was also drawn to the fashion of The Strokes and The 1975, which helped shape the style of the characters I draw.
For me, the ideal is a relationship where you can hear music from the painting and see art from the music. That’s the kind of coexistence I strive for.
YUGO. Comment
Following his 2021 exhibition NEW DISTRUCTION, YUGO.’s upcoming exhibition marks his first solo show in nearly three years. The exhibition will be held as a touring event across three venues: Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Tokyo. The SHUTL exhibition in Tokyo will serve as the finale, following the earlier shows in Kyoto at Sekai Warehouse in July and in Fukuoka at TAG STÅ in September.
The atmosphere at the venues in Kyoto and Fukuoka was different at each, but I was deeply grateful to see the visitors taking the time to carefully look at each piece of artwork. It made me feel even more determined to create better paintings.
I will use the energy I received from the two venues as fuel to challenge myself with even more expression in Tokyo.
YUGO. comment
The venue for the exhibition, SHUTL, is an art space that opened in October 2023 in Higashi-Ginza, Tokyo. The capsules from the Nakagin Capsule Tower, a representative work of architect Kisho Kurokawa embodying “metabolism architecture,” have been repurposed, and SHUTL serves as an “experimental space” where exhibitions, pop-ups, and a variety of other events are held, attempting to connect tradition and modernity. With new works and special events planned for the Tokyo exhibition, YUGO. shared his thoughts and excitement in a comment for the show.
The theme of this exhibition, titled DEFY, is centered around rebellion.
While my past works have challenged societal values, this time I’m also rebelling against my own artistic history. I’ve taken on the challenge of exploring new techniques and styles, breaking the taboos I had set for myself, and pushing my creative limits.
SHUTL, the venue in Tokyo, is a fresh and innovative space, and I’m eager to see how my work will interact with its unique atmosphere, sparking new reactions and possibilities.
YUGO. comment
YUGO. EXHIBITION『DEFY』
Dates: November 29 (Friday) – December 27 (Friday), 2024
Venue: SHUTL
4-1-8 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 13:00-19:00
OPEN : Mon-Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun
CLOSE : Tue-Wed
