Lena Yokoyama
Visual Translations

Exploration

Un-commissioned | New Talent

Why did you make this work:
I’m looking at how translation may be performed visually, in a way that goes beyond what words can express. This self-initiated project explores the Japanese concept ‘Ma’ 間, which loosely means ‘pause’ or ‘in-betweenness’, yet the finer nuances of its meaning cannot easily be contained in these words. My aim is to use an illustrative language that will allow this concept to become more accessible.

How was the illustration used:
This piece hasn’t yet been shown publicly. My intention is to print the illustrations myself through Riso- and/or Screen Printing and to show them all together in an exhibition, alongside my research and writing for the project.

How did you make this work:
The sketches were painted using Japanese ink on paper and later digitally coloured. Each of the illustrations consist of 2 layers, using complementary colours which then overlap to create an additional colour. I’ve developed my illustration process specifically in this way so that my work can be further translated into spot-colour printing, through either Screen Printing or Riso.


Social Media:
facebook.com/lenaa.yokoyama/
instagram.com/lena_yokoyama
@isshoo_collective

Personal Website:
lena-yokoyama.com/
Agent Website:
https://grandmatter.com

College:
Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
Course:
BA lllustration
Year of Graduation:
2020


Currently Based:
London, United Kingdom

Biography:
Lena Yokoyama is a Japanese/Austrian illustrator and printmaker based in London. Her illustrations are playful and optimistic and like to feature an array of quirky characters in different shapes and sizes. She cares about community, highlighting diversity and using Illustration to create bridges between different cultures. Lena illustrates through ink and pixels, loves grain and mis-registration.

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