Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeffrey Sugishita.
Jeffrey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
There was never an exact reason for why I started creating. The strong desire to create must be a trait I was innately born with because I started the act of creating long before I was able to read or write. Granted, they were of simple crayon drawings and playdoh sculptures, but the practice of handling different tools and materials from the early stages of childhood has nurtured the skill to handle more complex methods of creation later in my life. I pursued creating works for the oncoming years, and in 2016 when I graduated high school I decided that I want to make this passion into a profession. After taking a year off from education I enrolled in college where I now pursue the major of fine arts. In early 2019 I held my first solo exhibition ‘Synthesis,’ which led me to the opportunity of doing another solo exhibition as well as participate in three group exhibitions.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say the path I took was perfectly smooth, but it has relatively been a steady path for me. I owe this to both of my parents who believed in my potential and remained supportive of me throughout the years. Experimenting with different mediums to pursue various forms of expression is a positive challenge that I face on a daily basis. I believe struggling and overcoming/gaining experience is a key factor to growing in terms of creative aspect as well as an individual.
The biggest obstacle that I came across so far was being diagnosed with disk herniation in 2016. The disks between the vertebrates in my lower back sort of bulged out because I drew too much and was hunched over a desk all day, which put pressure on my spine. This prevented me from doing any creative or academic work for quite some time, as I couldn’t really walk, or much less stand. I inevitably had to take a year off due to this condition, but I have since then made a near complete recovery.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sugiworks – what should we know?
I specialize in working with a multitude of mediums to create both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. The materials and mediums that I use greatly fluctuate as I am in a constant search for new modes of expression. I use ordinary mediums such as pencil, ink, charcoal, paint, and spray paint to make two-dimensional works like drawings and paintings. I also use modeling clay, ceramics, wood, and unconventional materials like cabinet hinges and mechanical parts from various machinery such as copy/fax machines and old TVs to create three-dimensional sculptures.
One of the mediums that I have worked with extensively in the past couple of years is cutting paper. Cutting the paper produces crystal clear lines that is unique to its own. Since the different layers of paper cannot be blended together like paint, making cut paper works requires immense calculation of where to cut and where to keep intact. My style of cutting paper has evolved over time to increase the number of layers, adding to the intricacy of the work and a further sense of depth. Whatever the medium I work with I strive to utilize its potential to the fullest.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
If I can fix anything in the past I would definitely fix my posture (lol). Being unable to walk or stand for over a month and having to deal with the pain and fixing my back for a full year was a huge setback that I wish I could’ve avoided. The solution I found to this is to keep the back upright at all times and to buy a tall desk that enables me to work while standing. As for my creative background, I believe I was given the optimal assets to do the best I can, so I wouldn’t change anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: sugiworks.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: sugiworks
Image Credit:
Jeffrey Sugishita
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