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Draw A Line

Izumi Shiokawa

初次見日本插畫師塩川いづみ,個子小小卻大膽地爬上長梯,在差不多兩米高的玻璃上畫起畫來。「初次來香港感到街道上的人真的很多,高樓大廈旁邊都有公園或是一棵棵的樹,這樣的對比很有趣。這次為MUJI的IDÉE室內空間畫的插畫就是想表達這種有趣的感覺。」塩川小姐說她把窗看成一個畫框,玻璃上畫滿了可愛的鳥兒和樹木,與大型商場外人來人往的街道形成有趣的對比,使平平無奇的空間變成溫暖又帶點幽默玩味的遊樂園。

When I first met the illustrator Izumi Shiokawa, I was already impressed by how she was climbing up an almost 2-meter-tall ladder without a second thought. It was such a contrast seeing this small girl drawing on the glass facade at such a height. “ In my first visit to Hong Kong, I found it a bustling city. It was so fascinating to see there were either parks or trees right next to every skyscraper. This is the impression I would like to recreate in my illustration for the IDÉE area in MUJI store.” Shiokawa said the glass facade was a canvas where she could draw the adorable birds and trees, creating an interesting contrast to the buzzing traffic on the streets outside. The very regular space has then turned into a joyful playground with a homy tone.

Izumi Shiokawa for IDÉE

塩川小姐筆下畫的都是她喜歡的東西,動物、植物和人的面貌,透過簡單的線條表現最純粹的動態與情感。「即使是畫一條簡單的線,也能表現緊張或是安靜平和等不同的情緒,只要線條與留白的位置營造恰到好處的平衡感,一條線也能成為一個作品。」畫的重點不在於畫下的線條,相反,是線條以外的空間。「留白的位置給觀者一個想像的空間,黑白的用色也是讓觀者想像把他們喜歡的顏色放在作品上。」這種想法與中國畫同出一轍,同樣以線條為基礎,留白為畫面加添意境。「我想我的作品能以平易近人的方式融入生活,而且能讓人發現生活中不同的可能性和美好的一面。」塩川小姐的畫充滿了童真玩味,同時又表現出返璞歸真、回歸自然的美。

Shiokawa only illustrates what she is fond of, such as animals, plants or human. The dynamics and sentiments in their purest forms are very often captured by the most simple lines. “Even if you are only drawing a simple line, it can still reflect a particular emotion such as excitement or tranquility. If you can grasp the balance between the line and white space, even a simple line can become a piece of work.” So it is not what is being drawn that counts, sometimes it is the space left in between that speaks volume. “The empty space leaves people lots of imagination. The use of only black and white colors serves the same purpose by letting viewers apply their own colors in their minds.” Such approach echoes traditional Chinese painting where the white space is really by design to inspire the viewers to think and imagine. “I think my art can blend into people’s lives in a very casual way and help people to explore the impossible and beautiful aspects of everyday life.” Shiokawa’s illustrations are delivered in a fun and cheerful manner, portraying fundamental purity that reminds one of natural beauty.

塩川小姐的插畫就如家中的衣櫃、植物或是一個杯子,平易近人的氣質融入日常之中,沒有半點違和感。「工作和生活是分不開的,對我來說,藝術是生活的延續,在生活中發掘新的可能、趣味也是藝術的一種。」插畫和語言一樣,是一種與不同人對話的溝通方式,「我正計劃學習西班牙語,因為不同的語言、文化都會影響思考方式;學懂新的語言後,或許將會對世界上的一事一物有全新的體驗。」

Shiokawa’s drawings exist just like a piece of homeware, such as a wardrobe, a plant or even a cup. The illustrations are so easy to approach and so easily blend into our day-to-day life. “Work and life are inseparable. To me, art is the extension of daily life. To discover new possibilities and fun in life is also a form of art.” Similar to language, illustrations are also a medium of communication. “I am planning to learn Spanish, thinking a new language and culture will stimulate our way of thinking. After having acquired a new language, you may have a brand new experience with every little thing you see in this world.”

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