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.