Yuichi Hirako Discusses Nature, Tree Man, and Cross-Cultural Influences in ArtReview Asia Interview

Yuichi Hirako, a Japanese artist trained in London, explores human-nature relationships through mixed-media works featuring mythological characters like the 'Tree Man', a hybrid figure with a fir tree head and deer antlers. His recent exhibition 'Mount Mariana' at Gallery Baton in Seoul this autumn showcased paintings and sculptures that blend Western and Eastern references, including Shintoism, Christianity, and art history. In an interview with ArtReview Asia, Hirako revealed his artistic process involves research and production, often using music during intensive creation phases. He described the Tree Man as a self-portrait and a symbol for anyone connected to plants, aiming to challenge perceptions by hiding serious environmental themes behind seemingly cute aesthetics. Hirako's works, such as 'Gift 15' (2021), depict symbiotic connections between humans and nature, using elements like black cats as symbols of danger. He avoids pessimism about the planet's future, focusing instead on incorporating ecological research into his art to provoke viewer reflection. The artist's practice includes sound works and performance, with pieces also featured at Gallery Baton's stand at Frieze London. Hirako emphasized that art can shake senses and present problems in acceptable forms, drawing from both rational Western traditions and sensory Asian expressions.