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Hayashi Shigeki (Born 1972) is an artist and sculptor from Toki City, Gihu pref. Japan.

His impressive ceramic and porcelain sculptures, some of which are part of public collection of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Japan, takes inspiration from science fiction, animated film and comic books.

He has received numerous awards from his home country and internationally, including the prestigious Plaque of The President of the Chamber of Deputies from the "55'Premio Faenza"(Faenza, Italy).

You can see more of his work on his website.

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Tell me a little about yourself, about your life?
I was born and raised in Fukuoka Japan. After finishing high school I moved to the United States and studied at a woman's college in Virginia. After which I moved to Savannah, Georgia where I majored in a Fibers graduate program. I lived there since summer 2006. At the moment, I’ve finished my thesis show which debut in August 2008 and is now looking for a job.

Where did you go to school?
Randolph- Macon Woman's College in Virginia and graduated May 2006.
Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated with a Master of Fine Art in Fiber Design.

What classes did you study? What is your major?
Repeat pattern design, screen printing, jacquard weaving, CAD surface design, images on fabric; digital fabric printing, 3D fibers.

What helped you become the artist you are today?
My experiences living in different places in US and Japan. During my childhood days, I went to a neighborhood art and craft school where I experienced and learned many different approaches to express myself in art.

What do you hope to become one day?
I hope to become a Pattern Designer specializing in motif and pattern design.

Do you intend to stay in the States for a long time?
Yes if I can.

Who are your influences?  
My favorite designers and artists are Elizabeth Murray, Dries Van Notten, Tsumori Chisato, and Eley Kishimoto.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everyday occurrences and little things we easily dismiss in our life.
 
What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?  
Those fun moments with people around me. Things familiar in my life, as it is interesting to see how they look in my artwork.
 
What inspired you to become an artist?
My love for colors and my passion in drawing which was developed when I was in my childhood. Conversations with my professors and friends in my college.
 
What wisdom could you give us, about being an artist? Do you have any tips you could give?
Spend more time doing and making [art], don’t spend too much time hesitating. You can think [about your work] while you are making [it].

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
Email: kanako84217@hotmail.com

Finally, do you have any of your art work for sale (sketchbook, prints, or anything) for people that like your work can know where and when to buy it?
I have some printed fabric and paintings that I can sell. Please write to me more for details. My portfolio is at:
http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_work.asp?from_url=true&individual_id=226237&sort_by=1&

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Do you know that world acclaimed film-maker Takeshi Kitano is an accomplished painter?

We all know that the man is one of the greatest film-maker in Japan's movie history. But yet again, Takeshi Kitano surprises everyone else by his amazing mastery in oil painting. In his most recent film titled - Achilles and the Tortoise, Kitano presents a film portrait of an artist who sacrifices his family and nearly his own life in the pursuit of art. And what truly impressed us in startdrawing, are that the paintings churned out throughout the film are Kitano's own - many of which had been given as gifts to friends over the years and then reclaimed for the filming. Kitano's paintings first made appearance in his earlier film - Hana-bi (Fireworks).

About the film
Achilles and the Tortoise is Takeshi Kitano's newest reflection on art and life. The film takes its title from a famous paradox by the pre-Socratic philosopher Zeno, which claimed that motion, time and change are nothing but illusions. Achilles and the Tortoise tackles the idea that art is a chimera, and follows the absurd, star-crossed life of a man with no talent. As a result of his father's love of modern Western art, Machisu (Reo Yoshioka), a quiet, introverted child, is inspired to become a painter himself. Obsessive and obstinate – yet talentless – the child devotes all of his time to painting, not even losing heart when his father, once a wealthy factory owner, goes bankrupt and commits suicide.

As a young adult, Machisu (Yurei Yanag) continues to find comfort in his mediocre art and in the company of a group of fellow students with whom he shares the unrealistic dream of becoming famous. With banal results, he mimics all of the fashionable trends, from pop art to abstract expressionism, and struggles through life in a crescendo of crazy irrationality. Machisu (now played by Takeshi Kitano himself), his stubborn lack of talent persisting into adulthood, eventually spirals into disturbed, upsetting behaviour.

Kitano said that while he set out to make a film about "cruel art," he didn't think an artist need make the sacrifices depicted in the movie. "What I was trying to describe was a side effect of art and art as a kind of drug that numbs your senses," said Kitano. "Art might become a drug for an artist. But I am not convinced that it is necessary for all artists."

About Takeshi Kitano aka Beat Takeshi
Born in Tokyo, Takeshi Kitano enjoyed enormous success in Japan as a stand-up comedian, actor and visual artist. His filmography includes Violent Cop (89), Sonatine (93), Kids Return (96), Fireworks (97), Kikujiro (99), Brother (00), Dolls (02), Zatôichi (03), which won the Festival's People's Choice Award in 2003, Takeshis' (05), the segment Une Belle journée for the film anthology Chacun son cinéma (07) and Glory to the Filmmaker! (07). Achilles and the Tortoise (08) is his eleventh feature to screen at the Festival.
 
References:
Official Website - Takeshi Kitano
Toronto International Film Festival
The times BFI London Film Festival
CBS News

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