Kotaro Chiba — Niigata, Japan

“There was a significant ideological motive behind pop culture about a century ago, often leaning towards anti-conservative or anti-traditional views. While I feel nostalgia, awe, excitement, and beauty toward ‘Pop’, I also feel somewhat embarrassed to embrace it in today’s modern era. ‘Pop’ held a stable position on the cultural values map in the past, but now its stability is lost in a chaotic landscape with numerous influential players. The internet has transformed society; it is no longer simple, and we are not just consumers of ideas—we actively create ‘thoughts’ for artistic expression, becoming artisans in the process.”

Kotaro Chiba is a freelance illustrator and artist based in Niigata, Japan. From the humble beginning of printing original designs on t-shirts, his work has expanded to include illustrations for books, magazines, vinyl, and commissioned portraits worldwide. Kotaro also flexes his creative muscle as a graphic designer, specialising in logos, branding, business cards, posters, and flyers.