Born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1991, Chisato Tatsuyama has set out a creative path that goes beyond borders and mediums. With a background in textile companies in Japan, her narrative took a turn when she relocated to France in 2019, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her artistic exploration. Through this interview, we unravel the layers of her artistic evolution, exploring the essence of collage art and cultural fusion that defines her artistic identity.

TiA: Can you share more about your technique and your selections of materials in your creation? What role do they play in conveying the messages or emotions within your artwork?

Chisato Tatsuyama: In my artwork, I incorporate mental landscapes and visual elements into abstract expressions, primarily using the collage process with recycled papers and parts of my own old drawings. The themes revolve around harmony, beauty, innovation, accidental combinations, and life itself.

TiA: What’re your biggest sources of inspiration, and how is it integrated into your artistic process?

Chisato Tatsuyama: I draw inspiration from nature, incorporating motifs into my work through the assembly of pieces cut from old magazines and various collected materials. The resulting combinations create accidental harmonies, blending innovation and novelty into a new form, much like the emergence of a new life form when pieces are glued to paper.

TiA: After moving from Japan to France, how did this big decision influence the themes you explore in your artwork and your overall artistic expression?

Chisato Tatsuyama: Moving to France in my early thirties marked a transformative period, where I embraced a new identity as a foreigner. This transition made me aware of the singular nature of individuals, transcending the constructs of majority or minority. Incorporating nature-derived motifs into my work became a means of healing and reconnecting with the source of all living things.

TiA: Being a contemporary Japanese artist living in France, do you think that your artworks have involved the Japanese identity? If not yet, have you ever thought of creating more artwork that can represent part of your root culture?

Chisato Tatsuyama: Yes, I believe part of my creation is related with my root of Japan. Until the mid-1900s, when modernization progressed, Japan’s common class was not materially wealthy. I love the Japanese culture of “Mingei” which developed as “ordinary people’s crafts” at the time, and I’m inspired a lot from the movement.

For example, “Boro” is a class of Japanese textiles that have been mended or patched together. The Boro is hand-woven by peasant farmers, that have been stitched or re-woven together to create an often many-layered material used for warm, practical clothing. I was particularly impressed by its beauty when I saw it for the first time. Then, I also found a common point between Boro and my collage artworks : recomposing existing materials. I would like to create art such as Japanese Mingei.

TiA: Collaborating with creative brands from Japan, how do these collaborations impact your creative process? What motivates you to engage with various actors to expand your artistic perspectives?

Chisato Tatsuyama: By collaborating with others, I like witnessing the process of chemical reactions that occur in ways I never imagined. 
I sometimes find it difficult to communicate with others by conversation. However, the process of creation with someone always heals me. I think it’s a wonderful creative communication to have someone happy with your completed artwork.

TiA: Looking ahead, can you share any insights into your future projects, the directions you plan to explore in your artwork, or any upcoming plans that your audience can look forward to?

Chisato Tatsuyama: In 2024, I’ll be overseeing window displays for a Japanese department store (PARCO) for three seasons. Taking this opportunity, I would like to infuse color into various spaces globally.

Collaboration with talented friends, exploration into textile products, and venturing into animation production are exciting prospects on the horizon.

TiA: Finally, do you have any advice or personal thoughts to share with others who consider being artists during this time?

Chisato Tatsuyama: Even if you can make something today, you may not be able to make the same thing tomorrow. Time is limited, so make the most of every second. If we do that, I think everyone’s life will be beautiful.

Thank you, Chisato, for taking the time to share your insights into the intricate world of your artistic creations.

---

Hey, there ! This article is written by TiA. If you like it, subscribe to our Newsletters to learn more about the art world.

TiA is a Paris-based hybrid artist agency specialized in art management and talent development. We promote local and international artists who align with our values and share our agency’s visionary spirit. Together, we shape a world where creativity has no limits and commit to sustainable, ethic, humanist values.