Jun is Pop-Art

Born in 1983 in Osaka, Japan. Jun Arita studied Art & Design at high school. After graduating, he worked at a printing company as a graphic designer for 2 years. Then went to New York to study English and visiting art exhibition for 1 month.

‘When I came back from New York, I really wanted to do something big with my Art to help people and let people see my Art and be happy & smiling in other countries, so I started saving up money to go to overseas to make a career out of Art and now I’m living in New Zealand as a Japanese pop artist, Graphic Designer and Illustrator,’ says Jun.

‘When I arrived in New Zealand, I went to the Air New Zealand Fashion Week 2007 and I entered to the GLASSONS T-shirt Design Competition for The Breast Cancer Trust Research then I won. My designed T-shirt was sold at GLASSONS in Jan 2008. After that I painted on the transformer by Rodney District Council in Auckland. Also I designed the T-shirt and shop bags for the clothing shops and I have collaborated with New Zealand musician Tiki Tanne to make his T-shirt design and CD album booklet etc…,’ Jun adds.

However, having always been interested in graphic design, fashion, animation, illustrations and art. His work is a fusion of all of them. He uses brilliant colours and diverse textures to evoke feelings of passion and happiness in myself and the viewer. He has exhibited internationally, most prominently in Japan & New Zealand and his work has been printed on T-shirt, postcards, skateboards, surfboards and records – ‘Anything can be my canvas!!’

My saying is “Never Give Up”

Q. How do you come up with a subject for paintings and illustrations?

A. The subject won’t come up until I finish my paintings and illustrations. I’m not trying to put difficult words on my artwork because I don’t want the subject to control my art. I want the viewer to understand easily about my artwork and be happy and smiling.

Q. How do you reach a conclusion/ finishing point to a painting or?illustration?

A. When the canvas will be full up and I feel it’s enough, but really there isn’t a conclusion on my artwork because if I want to, I can keep drawing forever.

Q. Who do you aspire to be like?

A. My parent.

Q. Who inspires you in the past/ present?

A. When I was a high school student, I had my favourite illustrators who are 326 (Mitsuru) and Katsura Moshino. Their Artworks are so futurity, colourful, international and cool. So I got a lot of inspiration for developing my characters and artworks from them.

Q. What is the weirdest/strangest thing that has ever happened to you?

A. I have twin brother, his name is Ryo. He likes drawing as well. When Ryo and I said “let’s sing”, we sang the same song at the same time. haha

It’s kind of weird having a twin brother because we both are identical in many ways. I’m really happy to have him because he is my best friend and can understand me more than anyone else.

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