EVENT

Capturing Movement: Live Drawing by Obata Taku

小畑多丘：ライブドローイング

A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai), artist Obata Taku creates work which revolves around the body in motion, visibly rooted in hip-hop culture and breakdance. 

Acclaimed for his dynamic, life-size wooden sculptures investigating movement, his artistic path explores a wide range of different media, from carving to drawing and painting. 

In this drop-in live drawing performance, visitors to The Shop at Japan House London are introduced to Obata Taku’s distinctive drawing style, which captures the essence of his vision while simultaneously deforming the body and deconstructing its human features.

This demonstration is held in collaboration with City & Guilds of London Art School, which runs the only BA (Hons) and MA Carving course in the UK, specialising in endangered crafts, Conservation and contemporary Fine Art.

About Obata Taku

Obata Taku was born in 1980 in Saitama, Japan, where he is currently based. In 1999 he formed the hip-hop dance crew Unityselections and refined his style of breakdancing through live performances. In 2008, Obata received a master’s degree in sculpture from the Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geidai) and in the same year he won the grand prize at the Tokyo Wonder Wall Grand Prix. He investigates body expression and movement through what he refers to as ‘B-BOY sculpture’. In addition to sculpture, he works with various media such as drawing, photography and videomaking.

Instagram: TAKU_OBATA
Twitter: @TakuSpeFAD