FUKUOKA (ANN/The Japan News) — Colorful artworks adorning cold, lifeless walls and shutters are drawing attention in Fukuoka City, as they not only offer excitement in dull daily routines but also contribute to a cheerful ambience.
The masterminds behind the spray paint art are Stuart Kenta Oguri, an architect from Melbourne, and his wife Hiroko. As duo Yoka Paint, known as Putos Paint overseas, they have created thousands of murals.
Since relocating to the city six years prior, they have created art throughout the nation, frequently when the other party reaches out to them. Their projects feature one that spans a massive wall at the Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Higashi-Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka.
The first “canvas” for them in Fukuoka was the shutter of Italian wine bar Vinoria Basso in Chuo Ward. They suggested painting a picture on it to the owner of the bar.
The bar owner, who was asked this while opening the shutter, initially appeared startled. According to the couple, he asked, “Are you going to scribble on the shutter?” However, he quickly accepted the idea after viewing their portfolio and discovering the remarkable nature of street art.
Building walls and shutters, often overlooked, transform into the “faces” of stores and other establishments through spray paint art, making a memorable impact on passersby.
The couple said they are frequently asked what they are painting when working in front of a wall or a shutter with a spray can. They have slowly garnered an increasing number of requests for paintings, partly due to their cheerful smiles.
Their recent representative works include one in Saka, Hiroshima Prefecture.
At the town’s request to create a symbol of healing from the devastation caused by heavy rains, a 40-metre-long artwork was painted last year, illustrating a parade of portable shrines over wave-like designs on a white wall.
Having listened attentively to locals about the features and history of the area, the couple decided together with them to paint the picture with themes of traditional performing arts handed down in the area since the Edo period (1603-1867) and a beloved local festival. It took about two months for the couple to complete the work.
Symbol of local areas
The shutters of Cake House Bonheur in Itoda, Fukuoka Prefecture, feature paintings of cherry blossom trees along the Chuganji River and flowers from the Kanayama Hydrangea Garden, both in the town. The couple created the paintings at the request of the confectionery shop owner who wished to admire the flowers, unique attributes of the town, all year long.
The paintings are said to have become a symbol of the area, as they are visible from a distance.
The Ita shopping street in Tagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, features around 50 “shutter art” works along a 450-metre stretch, gaining popularity on social media. The duo created their artwork there featuring festival scenes after discovering a significant Shinto ceremony that takes place annually at and near the Hikosangawa river in the city.
Following the attention gained from the shopping street project, they were invited to create a mural at Maruyama Park, a well-known cherry blossom viewing location in Tagawa, when the wall and an outdoor stage were constructed there in 2020.
The couple painted a magnificent cherry blossom tree and mejiro Japanese white-eye birds on both sides. Upon closer inspection, viewers can notice finely painted petals and various tones of light.
“It is nice to be able to enjoy cherry blossoms even in winter [thanks to the art],” said a woman sitting in the park, facing the stage and the walls. “On a spring-like warm day, some people come here with lunch boxes to enjoy the feeling of cherry-blossom viewing,” she said.
Joy of art for more people
A hawk with a piercing gaze is painted on the wall of the Kaito bicycle shop in the Takatori shopping district of Fukuoka’s Sawara Ward. The bird is said to have been selected as the symbol because the shopping street where the store is situated includes the word taka, meaning “hawk” in Japanese, and the city is home to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball team’s stadium.
Spray paint art remains relatively unknown in Japan, yet it is considered to have become a tool for community development in the United States and certain European countries. In those nations, it is said to be frequent in locations such as healthcare facilities. It is believed that spray paint art positively influences people’s mental attitudes.
Stuart Kenta said spray paint art can be seen on various streets where he grew up in Melbourne. A tour of street art murals located throughout urban areas is among the city’s tourist attractions.
“With spray paint art, you can enjoy works depicting the local climate and culture without going to an art museum. I hope people will feel refreshed by taking a look at them, even when they fall on hard times,” Hiroko said.
The couple hopes spray paint art will further develop to bring the joy of art to many people.
