Pop and street Japanese artist Yoshi47 (b. 1981) paints humorous monster characters inspired by the Japanese hit TV series ‘The Laughing Salesman’ by Fujiko A. Fujio. The monsters are laughing at the viewer by looking down at us, but at the same time, these monsters are the reflection of who we really are. Yoshi47 utilizes many different colors especially the bright ones to show hope for us human beings and darker colors to reflect our dark side. For the artist, it's like creating a Ying Yang balance in a painting. Painting is a reflection of the artist's lifestyle where nothing is conceptualized or planned out, rather he chooses to paint whatever comes to mind. Born in 1981 in Gifu prefecture, he moved to California, USA to pursue an art career. He spent four years in the Bay area doing live painting and participating in both solo exhibitions and art events. While living in San Francisco, he discovered a small group of avid bicyclists and became a bike messenger. It was through his experience as a courier that he found his essence of life and the conceptual basis for his art. While Yoshi47 was already experimenting with graffiti art in Japan, it was during this time in San Francisco where he became a full-fledged street artist. When not painting murals, Yoshi47 paints his playful images of monsters using aerosol paint, air brush, acrylics, and water color onto paper, canvas or wood panels. In 2006, he returned to Japan where he worked with other street artists to get their art recognized by modern and fine art world. Initially he lived in Tokyo, where he continued to work as a messenger and became involved in the bicycle industry. He eventually relocated to Kariya City for two and a half years to focus on his artistic and business endeavours. Yoshi47 currently lives and works in Aichi Prefecture, Japan where he can trail bike ride, surf, and snowboard. He is involved in art curating, illustration, collaborative projects, mural painting, and continues to exhibit his art in countries such as America, France, Australia, China, Mexico, Taiwan, and Sweden.

Spring Soil 1, 2023

57x76 cm, Watercolor, Pigment Ink on Water Color Paper

Spring Soil, 2023

50x50 cm, Watercolor, Pigment Ink on Water Color Paper

Spring Soil 3, 2023

70x70 cm, Watercolor, Pigment Ink on Water Color Paper

Flowers, toys and a vase, 2022

91x40.5 cm, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Pencil with Glossy Urethane Coating on Canvas

Forbidden Fruit, Talavera, and Vermin - Dusk & Dawn Version, 2022

91x72.7 cm, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Pencil with Glossy Urethane Coating on Canvas

Forbidden Fruit, Talavera, and Vermin - Daytime Version, 2022

91x72.7 cm, Acrylic, Spray Paint, Pencil with Matte Urethane Coating on Canvas