American monsters and rock’n’roll: NAOYA KAWAKAMI
Naoya Kawakami’s visual universe channels the legacy of lowbrow aesthetics, first shaped around Los Angeles in the 1970s, carrying forward its affinity with comic-book language, monster iconography, B-movie sensibilities, and the unruly spirit of rock’n’roll with renewed contemporary energy. His work moves between the eerie and the playful, bringing together darkness and humor, kitsch and handcraft within the same pictorial field. His paintings and prints evoke Tokyo’s everyday chaos, a deep affection for the strange, and the enduring vitality of the handmade image. Kawakami is also the guitarist of the band Bobby’s Bar.
“In Japan, even something grotesque or humorous often has a subtle refinement, and I think that balance has influenced the way I draw and design.”
What is your workspace like? What are the must-have items on your desk or in your creative environment?
My workspace is a bit chaotic, but it’s a comfortable chaos. I always have brushes, ink, and paper scattered around. I also need music playing in the background—without it, I can’t really get into the flow.
What rituals or habits help you enter a creative state of mind?
I like to start by listening to music—sometimes the same track on repeat—to lock myself into a certain mood. I also like to flip through old magazines, flyers, or toy catalogues for inspiration. They remind me why I started creating in the first place.
Your work spans across various mediums such as posters, album covers, and t-shirts. Are there any new forms you’re currently excited to explore or experiment with?
Recently, I’ve been interested in trying more three-dimensional works, like small objects or sculptures. I’ve also been experimenting with printing on different types of fabric and materials to see how the atmosphere of my drawing’s changes.
Which Western TV shows, films or music from your childhood left a mark on your imagination?
Old monster movies, vintage cartoons, and American rock’n’roll definitely had a big impact on me. Shows with a slightly spooky or absurd mood especially stuck with me.
How did these early cultural experiences interact with Japanese cultural values in shaping your vision?
I think the mix of Western “freedom and weirdness” with Japanese sensibility and attention to detail shaped my vision. In Japan, even something grotesque or humorous often has a subtle refinement, and I think that balance has influenced the way I draw and design.
Which records are in heavy rotation at your studio these days? What do you listen to most when you’re working on your art?
Lately, I’ve been going back to garage punk—it keeps my energy sharp when I’m working. The most recent record I picked up was by LA LOM.
TEENAGE KICKS: NAOYA KAWAKAMI’s early influences in JAPAN
I was influenced by underground manga artists, Showa-era illustrators, and also musicians from the garage and punk scenes in Japan. Their rebellious spirit and originality really taught me that it’s okay to be outside the mainstream.
Something about TOKYO that still remains a mystery to NAOYA KAWAKAMI
Even though I’ve lived here for years, Tokyo still has so many hidden layers—strange bars, old record shops, mysterious buildings tucked in small alleys. No matter how much I explore, there’s always something new to surprise me.
Some art spaces and happenings in TOKYO to visit, recommended by NAOYA KAWAKAMI
Tokyo has a lot of pop-up events and underground galleries that suddenly appear and disappear. I think that unpredictability is part of the fun. I also recommend small independent galleries and zine fairs where you can meet the artists directly and feel their raw energy.
