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Now I have your attention let’s look deeper into true outsider artist. Spent 20 years all over the world in the corporate and transitioned into art full time 3 years ago. Botchy-Botchy's style is eccentric and fun, with plays on elements of Japanese culture that for a native may be overlooked.
He gives us a window into absurd and pleasurable elements that permeate the culture he has infused himself into. Often underestimated, irony is also very strong in Japanese culture, and that is probably a bit why Botchy-Botchy feels at home here.
In a word this artist's work could be described as provocative. Plays on the often-sexual nature of Japanese culture are lampooned in some of his work such as Tengu Fantasy. The phrase “that girl is ready to vault herself onto a fence post” could be replaced by the long nosed Japanese god and mask Tengu. Another work "Kancho party" plays on the Japanese game of… well surprising a friend by poking them in the rear end.
Aside from the outlandish creations of original art, Botchy-Botchy also creates work based on commission: from murals in Tokyo bars to French wine bottle labels, picture book, packaging, album covers for Japanese musicians and digital animation (music videos). This artist is a true master of all corners of the artistic world, now with BAE he focuses bit more on digital art https://mybae.io/profiles/BotchyBotchy. His animations usually feature his own original music too.
As always let us now hear directly from the artist about his work.
How did you get into art
When I was 5y old I participated in a painting workshop in a basement and I loved it. I still remember the smell of fresh concrete at that time.
What / who inspires you most
Humans in general, and more specifically vicious specimen, freaks and outcasts. Decadence is lovely too as well as idiocy.
How would you describe your style.
Like a pot-pourri of various venereal diseases. I hope you’ll get itchy and pass it to everyone around.
How did you find digital art
I was wandering in a vast stone desert when St Adobe appeared in front of me as a vision and ordered me to pay around 400 bucks per year and abuse its Holy Softs.
Why the artist name Botchy-Botchy (I remember you telling me that you took used the Kansai phrase of "i'm so so/ ok" but would love to know it more depth)
In Japanese from Kansai (Osaka area and west of it), when asked: ’how are you?’, a lot of people reply “Botchy-Botchy”, which doesn't have a clear meaning but may be translated as "so and so". I like the sound of it and its absence of real meaning. Botchi also means graveyard in Japanese, which is fun.
Do you have formal training
I drink quite a bit in small Tokyo bars.
How long have you lived in Tokyo
Not long enough, I wish I had been here in the 70s…but only arrived in 2004.
Why illustration/ animation / music? and INK!
I love the pungent smell of black ink. It’s funny though how Pilot blue ink really stink. Probably explains why I mostly draw in black and red ink.
Illustration: because I am too lazy to make a graphic novel
Animation: because I am too lazy to make a graphic novel
Music: St Garage Band appeared to me in a vision as I was wandering in a vast stone desert and told me I should have a look at their latest version, that it was much better than the ones I tried to use a few years ago. And actually, he was right.
