Meet Takura Suzuki | Artist & Full time art assistant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Takura Suzuki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Takura, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As an artist, I view art as a part of life. In fact, my work-life balance hasn’t changed since my student days. Back then, it was art and rugby; now it’s art and a full-time job. The content may have changed, but the need to deeply commit to two things remains unchanged.

Balancing work and artistic pursuits can be challenging in terms of scheduling and physical stamina, but I believe I’m maintaining a good balance now because I’m learning things that I wouldn’t solely from art. (Perhaps I’m able to maintain the current balance because of the physical strength I gained from rugby training. Haha) For instance, the experience of working for a company as part of a team will undoubtedly be invaluable when I eventually embark on artistic projects as a team myself.

I anticipate a time when I’ll leave full-time work, and I wonder if the balance will shift then. I’m curious if I’ll still be able to perceive art as an integral part of life at that point.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
With more opportunities for people to see my art, I’ve started considering the impact my art has on viewers. While I enjoy going to see art, what strikes me is that the art itself isn’t valuable. It’s the environment created by art that holds value, and I believe culture emerges when people go to see it. I wonder if those who see my paintings feel even a little happier or if they feel nothing at all. I’d be glad if my art could have even a slightly positive impact.

The most important thing for me when painting is to paint what I want to paint. I’ve realized that people become interested in my work when I reflect my own interests in my art. In the past, I was fixated on creating what viewers desired, but I’ve found that the best communication with viewers occurs when I paint what I want.

The most challenging yet enjoyable moment for me when creating art is when I’m brainstorming ideas for my next piece. I often don’t know what to paint and sometimes feel lost. However, it’s through these challenging times that I truly discover what interests me.

Today, AI has advanced to the point where machines can paint and write. However, as exemplified by the Shoutout series, people are interested in real human stories and interests. I want to continue creating works that only humans can create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m originally from Tokyo, but I only lived there until I was 18, so unfortunately, I don’t know enough about the more mature spots to recommend. So, I’d like to introduce some of my favorite places in New York City, where I currently reside.

While New York City boasts numerous museums and galleries, one of my top recommendations is Dia Beacon upstate, where you can truly enjoy art and nature in their purest forms away from the city hustle and bustle. It’s about a two-hour train ride from Grand Central Station, but I believe it’s worth the trip. Plus, I love the charming streets there.

When the craving for ramen strikes, I often head to E.A.K in the West Village for their authentic tonkotsu ramen. And if I’m in the mood for Taiwanese cuisine around the Greenpoint area, Wenwen is a fantastic restaurant to visit.

Lastly, if you’re seeking a peaceful and homely atmosphere in Brooklyn, I highly recommend Park Slope. On weekends, you’ll find many families with children strolling the streets, creating a serene energy that you can absorb. With plenty of restaurants to choose from, it’s also a great area for dinner outings.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Angie Zou, an artist and currently a student at RISD, introduced me to Shoutout LA to have an interview. We met in 2021 in NYC, and have been inspiring each other as friends and fellow artists since then.

Tomokazu Matsuyama is an artist I work for full-time, and the reason why I’m making art today in NYC. My art professor at college introduced him to me; “hey you’re Japanese, you have to know and learn from this Japanese artist, Tomokazu Matsuyama”. He is a great boss and a great mentor.

Website: https://www.takurasuzuki.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takurasuzuki/

Image Credits
Takura Suzuki