The unique artist GAMON invites viewers into a mysterious world [Unique Communication #14]
"Isai Tsuushin" is a column introducing artists brought to you by Marie ( @Marie_heralbony ), the Isai Evangelist. In addition to the appeal of the works produced by Isai artists, we will deliver it in a chatty style, including wonderful experiences born from the interaction between Heralbony and Isai artists. For all of you who love the "unusual". We will support your tomorrow with content that will help you relax and give you energy.
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"Untitled" original artwork
This work evokes the atmosphere of a dry summer breeze or the excitement of a foreign festival.
The vivid colors and free-form lines look as if they might grow and sprout at any moment, and there are also tiny grains that look as if they might burst. Are these plants or seeds?
When I look at it, all sorts of ideas start dancing in my head.
With his distinctive sense of color and mysterious shapes, the works of GAMON, an unconventional artist, have a strong gravitational pull and draw us into a mysterious world.
With incredible concentration, follow your heart
GAMON was born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1999. He is currently a member of the general incorporated association HAP-lab in Hiroshima Prefecture. He started drawing pictures at the age of 15. While intently looking at a collection of works by Rene Magritte on a bookshelf at the facility, his imagination was sparked and he suddenly began creating paintings.
His creative style is characterized by switching and concentration. GAMON loves to eat, so he fills his stomach first before starting his work. His concentration after fully recharging his energy is amazing. When he picks up his brush, he will paint silently for five or six hours without a break.
I often get so focused that I can't hear the voices around me.
Without any drafts or hesitation, I paint over the brush.
GAMON does not use a model to paint, but instead layers colors and lines from his heart. At that moment, various scenes float in his mind. He sometimes works on four pieces at the same time. He works freely and from his heart. GAMON's rich imagination seems to loosen up our rigid "common sense."
The dynamic movement of the lines and vivid colors are reminiscent of sunlight or prisms flying through the sky.
On the other hand, I felt as if I was sinking deeper into the world of the work, as if I had gotten lost in a maze, and was being comfortably sucked into a complex space.
"Untitled" original artwork
In this work, we can sense the sense of freedom from the vivid colors and the complexity and depth of the world felt in the geometric shapes. This mysterious balance seems to take us on a unique journey of reflection.
What do you think? When we come into contact with the scenery inside GAMON's mind, we feel as if our hearts and minds are expanded in a comfortable way.
Surely we are communicating something that cannot be expressed in words.
Commitment to color
GAMON personally sources the acrylic paints he uses in his work. When he goes out to buy paints, he leaves at incredible speed and comes back at incredible speed. This episode shows the artist's passion to start working on his work as soon as possible.
Whenever a new color of paint comes out, he is an enthusiastic researcher who immediately tries it out. His interest in new colors is what inspires him to create works that leave a new impression.
For example, the works exhibited at Hankyu Umeda Main Store in 2022 had a color scheme like this, with a lot of deep greens and browns.
Then, in 2023, around the time of the "Unconventional Department Store" event held at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, the use of pale colors such as pink and emerald green increased, giving a softer impression.
The artist's desire to try new paints leads to changes in his style, and each time this happens, we are transported to a new world of imagination. The style of this unique artist changes from time to time. One way to enjoy his work is to pay tribute to the changes in the artist's environment and state of mind and learn their stories.
Paint over your old work to create a new one
GAMON usually works as a dishwasher for hospital cafeterias. Even though his shift starts at 8:30 a.m., he always leaves home at 6:30 and is on standby an hour before work starts. His earnest work attitude has earned him the trust of his older female colleagues.
Although GAMON has such a serious and meticulous personality, he apparently sometimes "lose the original artwork"... To be precise, he sometimes reuses the canvas of a work that he feels has become old and overwrites it.
In fact, the original artwork used on the message cards sold in the online store no longer exists and has been overwritten and reborn as new works.
Set of 3 artistic message cards | GAMON [old logo product]
One might think that he had some intention behind it, such as "I want to conserve resources" or "I just felt a strong passion to add to it...", but he actually said, "The picture I had done before had gotten old and worn out, so I just painted on top of it."
By the way, apparently he sometimes paints on top of other artists' works from the same studio... He also uses the other artist's paintings in his paintings, which may be a reflection of GAMON's desire to help others and make viewers happy.
GAMON said, "I'm happy to have my work exhibited in such a great place (Hankyu Umeda Main Store)," and "It's amazing that someone bought my painting." He also talks about his dream of holding an exhibition outside of Hiroshima in the future.
GAMON has a passion for wanting many people to see his work, and is always incorporating new elements to update it. Underneath his work, there is even GAMON's "past."
As we enjoy the work in front of us, let us also think back to the timeline. Each time, GAMON's work will give us new discoveries and moving experiences.
GAMON himself explains his work
GAMON and his father came all the way from Hiroshima to attend GAMON's special exhibition "Imagined Landscape," which was held at the HERALBONY GALLERY in Iwate until last month.
To commemorate his visit, GAMON will be doing an Instagram Live on his official Instagram where he will be explaining his work.
Here are some of the most striking explanations.
This is a work that was created with the image of "flowers." However, it was not drawn from actual flowers, but from the scenery and images in GAMON's mind.
This work, which looks like a dice or a playing card, was created with the image of an insect in mind. It also contains images of leaves and clocks. This is a unique worldview of GAMON, who draws imaginary landscapes.
For this piece introduced at the beginning, GAMON's image was "plan."
In fact, GAMON says that he rarely talks about the art he creates himself. Inspired by the gallery where many of his works are displayed, he said, "I want many people to see my work," or, "I want to make the people who watch my streams happy." It may be with these thoughts that he spoke so much.
GAMON's precious story from this occasion can be seen on HERALBONY GALLERY's official Instagram.
>Click here for the video (official Instagram)
In addition, the original artwork featured here is now available for purchase on our online store.
Please take the time to look at the works.
>List of original artworks here
GAMON
It is unclear whether his turning point came from poring over a collection of works by Rene Magritte on a bookshelf at the facility, but he suddenly began painting at around the age of 15. He fills his canvases with geometric shapes and a distinctive sense of color. He paints each line and shape with incredible concentration, never speaking a word while he is painting, and his concentration is so intense that he doesn't care about the noise around him. His mysterious works, which are somehow ethnic yet somehow modern, attract the attention of a wide range of generations, both young and old. It is his joy to have many people see the art he creates.
