Mariya Suzuki

MC: What is your relationship to Tokyo?

MS: I moved to Tokyo in September 2014. I had visited the city a few times before, spending about a week each time.

MC: When and why did you start drawing the city?

MS: When I used to visit friends here, I would always be amazed and overwhelmed by the ever-continuing stream of people and the forest of buildings. I like to draw complicated things, so they naturally inspired me to draw.

MC: How do you combine drawing with your work?

MS: In addition to cityscapes and people in general, I draw a lot of musicians. I illustrate flyers and books for musicians and concert venues.

MC: What is it you tried to achieve with your drawings of Tokyo?

MS: Tokyo seems like a pretty crazy place, but there are also a lot of small, old streets that are very interesting. They somehow make me nostalgic. I like to draw places like that because it almost makes me feel like I become part of them.

MC: Tell us about the place that you have selected.

MS: I tend to be attracted to things in repetition when it comes to choosing subject matter. So, I drew a crowd of buildings overlooked from the Mori Art Museum and from the government office in Shinjuku, and a crowd of people in Roppongi. I also drew my room and my friends hanging out in the neighborhood. I see them as footprints/snapshots of my life.

MC: What’s your favorite Tokyo place?

MS: My favorite place in Tokyo is Heiwa Shotengai near my apartment. It’s an old, rather quiet shotengai (commercial street). I like how the air it produces makes me feel like I belong there, even though I’ve never lived there before.

MC: Who is a reference for your work or is there someone whose work you particularly admire?

MS: I’ve always liked the beautiful work of Akira Uno. I also admire Trey Bryan’s work, who is a contemporary artist and my friend.

MC: Did drawing change your life and if it did can you explain us in what way?

MS: Drawing has always been part of my life, so I don’t feel like it changed my life . . . at least it hasn’t yet.