His art often reveals some of the fuss and filigree of Victorian wallpaper when seen from across a room. Look closer, though, and his motifs expand to reveal graphic, organic images, from tree creatures, to skulls, to symbols resembling various joints and organs. Swatches of Jackson Pollack-like spatters, rendered in rustic reds and calculated onyx, combine the traditions of painted Japanese screens with the cutting edge of a skateboard graffito.
Some works by the artist look floral from afar, but with further inspection of the ink-toned paintings, corporeal forms appear in between paint drips. Born in Oregon in 1982, but raised in Shizuoka, Japan, noa- seeks new avenues of expression in an attempt to connect people in modern times. To do so, he paints on, well, everything. What better way to unite us with his message than by marking our various everyday media, from t-shirts and shoes on our bodies, to canvases and murals on gallery walls.
I interviewed noa- prior to his exhibition opening on Saturday, where he also gave a "live painting" demonstration for four hours before the party even began. Dj Nisus presided over Saturday's proceedings, which gave a layer of audible physicality to the organic musicality of the art. Together, they mixed tack and tact like a couple of jazz pros riffing off one-another. Noa- is a local talent who deserves to be seen and heard.
Name: noa-
Age: 26
Occupation: Painter.
Hometown: San Francisco. (He's Japanese, grew up in Oregon, and now lives and works in the Mission.)
Must-have item at all times: My glasses.
Signature drink: All.
Finish the sentence: When not working, you can find me. . .
. . .at my house.
Favorite local locales?
China beach.
Favorite neighborhood in the SF/EB?
There are so many places. I cannot decide!
Any insider tips, being a local?
Surreality in reality. Check out the website here: www.sir-sf.com/.
What got you interested in painting in the first place?
Blank paper and pencils.
As you answer these questions, what Web sites are open in your browser?
www.noa-ark.com!
What was your very first work tht you painted, stood back to look at it, and decided, "This is who I am and what I am supposed to do?"
A lot of the work is pen and ink, detail-oriented, line work. The paintings and prints reflect that same attention to detail.
What got you interested in transferring your art to clothing and shoes?
Because our lives should be surrounded with more art and more creations.
Where do you seek out inspiration?
In my entire life and in nature.
Your work is incredibly graphic and detailed. Some of it has a dreamy look and some almost a nightmarish one. How do you refresh or cleanse your palate?
I find that in smoking.
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(All images are exclusively granted to Project East Bay and posted with permission from the artist. They are not to be used for commercial purposes.)
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