My collection of woodcuts entitled "The Interzone - A Man of the Dark Grey," after almost a year in production, has just now been released by Savant Books and Publications.



The works in my book were completed between 2005 and 2008. In creating the book, I was myself pleasantly surprised that while the foci, presentations and media changed over time, my interest in portraying people in relation to today's big-city world didn't. By the way, the title, "Interzone," was inspired by a rock band named Joy Division, whose music inspired me to capture the infinite faces of life during one's journey from the darkness and coldness of beginning.

I like drawing the expressions that most of the people don't think they are beautiful. When I was a student in the Fashion Illustration college, I was always warned by the teacher about my artworks. He said that I shouldn't draw dark circles under the model's eyes and fallen cheeks. But I've never change my inclination of painting. I like drawing beautiful models as unbeautiful.

So people drawn in this book are not beautiful - but what is their beauty?

If you are interested in this book, please enjoy seeing many ugly people drawn by me. I think you will also see the real humanness in my works.

Sincerely,
Tatsuyuki Kobayashi
Please visit me at my website at http://kobatatsu.com.