The work of Yohei Sugiyama is a vibrant world where art, design, and craftsmanship collide in a style he describes as “a fusion of all things.” His journey began after studying visual design, where a strong desire to draw led him to win a Japanese illustration award—the moment he decided to pursue art seriously. His creative foundation is built on the belief that to capture the essence of a motif, one must observe it from multiple, seemingly contradictory perspectives, like a subject that is both classical yet modern or sharp yet soft.

Yohei’s artistic vision is a rich tapestry of cultural and historical influences. He was first inspired by Shigeru Mizuki, a Japanese manga artist who masterfully blended the design of invisible yokai with classical expression. His own unique deformation style is influenced by traditional Japanese family crests and graphic design. He consistently depicts plants and flowers as motifs, using materials he loves, like dye and acrylic gouache on fabric, to create work that feels both structured and organic. The most rewarding project for him was having his work displayed throughout the Hyatt Centric hotel, which showed the power of his dynamic style to dominate large spaces.

Yohei’s personal philosophy, shaped from childhood, is that everything has two sides—light and shadow, surface and depth. He believes the essence of things lies in that space between them, a pursuit that guides his every creation. For him, the dream is to exhibit in a large space like an art museum, allowing his work to be seen on a grand scale and sparking inspiration in those who see it. He values Innovative Craftsmanship above all else, believing that the act of creating itself is a form of legacy.