When you look at NKSIN’s portraits, it’s clear that he’s a perfectionist. Inspired by '90s American cartoons, he spray-paints actors, musicians and painters – all icons who created the culture of their time. The ultra-stylised black-and-white paintings look almost digital. Every gradient is flawlessly blended. Every edge is perfectly crisp. But despite this alluring sense of cohesion, the portraits represent something much more fractured – society. Growing up in a Japanese Filipino household, NKSIN often felt deeply frustrated that his community didn't embrace his biracial background. His work...
Bio
NKSIN (he/him) was born in 1994 in Fukushima, Japan, where he continues to live and work.
Technique
Even though NKSIN’s paintings have a very contemporary style, his signature technique comes from the Renaissance painters: Sfumato is a way of blending different tones into each other to create a softened texture.
Inspirations
NKSIN’s artistic inspirations reflect his multicultural upbringing. He is inspired by elements of Japanese subculture from the 1990s and animated films, particularly Amateur Manga Movement and Pixar animations.