Artist Spotlight: sushibaby
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up and how did you find yourself interested in art? Was there a pivotal moment that you can remember?
I grew up in Tokyo and started doing calligraphy when I was just three. I actually moved to New York in 2014, but it was during the pandemic that I really started seeing calligraphy as my main artistic expression. Being surrounded by so much art here inspired me to take my childhood passion to the next level.
Why do you believe nostalgia is such a powerful force for so many people? How do you translate that feeling into your art?
Nostalgia drifts through me like a soft ghost — familiar, gentle, a little far away. Since I was three, calligraphy has been my way of holding onto those feelings. When I write, it’s like opening a little portal to my past—sometimes so strong, it brings tears. Calligraphy is my way to quietly remember and feel, to simply affirm that I am alive and to be thankful for it.
What inspires you the most about creating your artwork and what kind of image or idea are you ultimately trying to convey to your audience?
What inspires me most is everyday life, memories, and experiences. My art theme is “sad & horny” — when I’m writing, I enter a state of flow where I feel connected to the universe. That feeling is also an important part of my art.
Do you have a work ritual? Take us through the process of creating your art.
I don’t really have a set routine or ritual. I just write whatever I feel like, wherever I feel like it. So my work gets filled up really randomly, and the canvas slowly takes shape at the end.
Who are some of your favorite artists, business people, creatives or intellectuals?
I don’t have any particular favorite artist. If I had to choose, my favorite artist would be my first calligraphy teacher who taught me from when I was three. I still don’t think I’ve surpassed her.
What has been the highlight of your artistic career so far?
The highlight of my artistic career is everything so far. I never imagined that after coming to New York as a model, my beloved calligraphy would become my profession. I’m grateful for every experience.
Please tell us something about yourself that we may not know that influences your work.
Something people might not know is that a lot of my work is rooted in the theme “sad & horny.” It’s how I express complex emotions—longing, desire, softness, and loneliness, all mixed together. My inspiration often comes from places beyond the human, like the universe and the blurry space between being and not being.
What are your plans for the future and direction of your work? How do you see yourself growing as an artist?
Right now, I’m focused on expressing everything I can with all my heart. In the future, I hope to share calligraphy more widely outside of Japan through my art.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Art can be such a lovely way to express things that are hard to put into words. Your thoughts, your feelings, your little inner universe. So have fun, and take your time!
Final Thoughts?
Strokes, dreams, and one last ink drop :)
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