Before that, Koizumi, 35, studied sculpture, painting and drawing at Chiba University, in the suburb where he grew up, hoping to become a children’s art teacher.
Last summer, the gallerist Yukiko Mizutani heard him talk about his background on television and sought out the designer, one of fashion’s rising talents, to tell him that he should try being a visual artist himself.
“And oil paint stinks.”) He’s spent six months creating 30 or so pieces; his first solo show will be held there this December.
Most are constructed using leftover fabric, which he sews into small or wall-filling rectangles, then smears with layer upon layer of oil and acrylic paint, which collects like alien goo within the folds of the ruffles.
The artist initially used brushes, but it took too long — the crenulated surfaces are a few inches deep — so now, like Jackson Pollock, he uses his hands.
Persons:
Tomo Koizumi, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith —, Koizumi, Mizutani, He’s, Jackson Pollock
Organizations:
Chiba University
Locations:
Shinagawa, Shinjuku