The solo exhibition “Affection of idols” is held at the 2nd floor of DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA, showing selected past works and new collection by Natsuki Otake, an artist who draws girls using the Japanese traditional textile dying technique batik. Fascinated by the sparkle of eyes seen in girls’ comics from her childhood , she still continues to draw such girls. Pursuing her dream eternally, she draws sparkle of idols that create dynamism of Natsuki Otake’s world.

Please introduce yourself.

I am Natsuki Otake, drawing girls using a traditional technique, batik.

Currently, you use the traditional textile dying technique called batik to draw girls (idols). How did you start to pursue your career as an artist?

I was fascinated with drawing girls since my childhood. Having used various materials, I started to learn dying techniques taking the textile course at the art school. I am still pursuing my dream from my childhood seriously, and that’s became my work for expression.

Please introduce some of your past works.

“Idea #1” / 2007
My thesis work made for the graduate school.
This was my first experience to make a big piece in the current style to combine numerous parts of dyed textile.

“Idea #2” / 2009
WIth the same title to the previous one this piece was made 2 years after completing the graduate school.
“Idea” is my ideal world.

“Affection of idols” exhibition view / DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA

Could you introduce us about your solo exhibition “Affection of idols” that is held at DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA from February 10?

Referring to the meaning of “Affection” which is the word used in the exhibition title, I believe that our adoration and desire create idols. And once adoration and desire get distorted, they will be jealousy. Including these positive and negative ideas, I believe there is human nature making your way toward overwhelming light and positive energy, at the bottom of those who have feelings attracting to idols. And I am one of them as well. I portray various forms of love toward idols.

“Affection of idols” exhibition view / DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA

I heard you made a new pieces. Could you introduce the new work?

I challenged new experience for my new work, including installing spherical objects drawn with the best 3 parts of eyes, mouth and hair from my favorites on girls, and an installation of dyed parts of works in the gallery space, and also non-dyed drawing works made with silk screen print.

How did you start to use the traditional dying technique of batik?

For my drawing work, I have been though various materials so far. Then, I learned the batik technique at the university and selected it as my method for expression because of the vivid colors.

Why are you attracted to girls? What is the best feature and attraction of drawing girls using batik?

I dyes with the technique on silk. The best feature about it is vividness of the color, sheen and sense of speed. It also has clearness because of the nature of the technique as dying on fabrics. The feature of batik is shine and it can be seen in attraction to idols as well.

Why am I attracted to girls…? I don’t know the clear reason. But I desperately enjoy drawing eyelashes of girls at late night. I wonder why I’m so into them.

“Affection of idols” exhibition view / DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA

I can see you use colors like pink, light blue, blue, red. Do you have specific focus on particular colors to use?

Yes, I do! I only use colors I love from the bottom of my heart. I love pink, light blue, blue, and red. I actually don’t like brown and khaki, so I don’t think you can find those colors in my work.

What and who did you get influenced by?

Heroines appear in girls’ comics, a character Ten Ten appears in the TV drama “Lai Lai! Kyonshis”, gravure idols. I am inspired by those girls.

What’s your favorites?

To do: I like net surfing, visiting libraries, and thinking things intensely.
Person: Yuri Morishita, a gravure idol.
Books: I like to read essays written by novelists.

What would you like to try in the future?

I just keep drawing girls on and on, and want to draw unbelievably pretty girl. And ultimately I want to draw Goddess Kannon.

Natsuki Otake “Affection of idols”
Date: February 10th – April 11th, 2010
Open: 13:00-20:00
Holidays: Non-regular Holiday
Place: DIESEL DENIM GALLERY AOYAMA 2F
Address: 6-3-3 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81-3-6418-5323
Curator: Shinya Furui (gallery POINT)
http://www.diesel.co.jp/denimgallery