Swedish illustrator Annika Wester just had her solo show “Portraits of girls” in November 2005 at the gallery LELE. The show, which also happens to be her first solo show abroad, proved to be an immense success, and will be traveling to Sapporo from January 24th, 2006. We interviewed Annika in Tokyo last November…
--You’ve left your native Sweden and are now based in Paris. What encouraged that move?
I wanted some new stimulation in my creative processes. Since I’ve moved to Paris, I feel that my work has become more feminine and independent; it has matured, to put it simply.
Paris is not an easy place to live financially, but as everyone knows, it is a beautiful city, and above all so inspiring.
--What about Paris inspires you?
After all, the fashion and the architecture. I’ve always been heavily inspired by the works of Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Cardin. Yves Saint-Laurent works are brilliantly creative, and his sensibility is very feminine.
I think many artists in Paris frequent the numerous galleries in the city, but to tell you the truth, I am not one of them. I want to value and nurture the inspirations that spring from within. Most of my ideas come from my inner self – and that is probably why I feel the urge to change my environment every now and then!
--The girls you portray are extremely cute and approachable. Are they modeled on your friends and acquaintances?
I draw mostly girls, and most of my friends happen to be girls also. Most of them are girly girls too, so I often base my illustrations on them. But I also create original characters without using any models. Creating characters from scratch is as much fun as reinventing real people in illustration. So I do both.
--It’s your first time in Japan. Any thoughts on Japanese girls and boys?
I’ve only seen the kids in Shibuya and Harajuku, but they are all so cute and doll-like. I felt the girls are really good at making their clothes their own, even the ones in crazy outfits. Not only the girls, I think the boys are really cute as well.
--We hear that you make your own clothes sometimes?
I started in my teens, making bizarre clothes for myself. I tried taking some classes once, but as soon as I started learning in class, I seem to have lost my free imagination and creative spirit. But I definitely still enjoy hand-sewing clothes and other stuff.
--What kind of fashion do you like personally?
I really am partial to high-quality vintage clothes. I also enjoy mixing and matching old clothes with new – adding some hats and scarves to an outfit, adding some ornaments to a piece of clothing, that kind of thing. I also love jewelry. Elsa Schiaparelli, an Italian designer, who made fantastic jewelry.
--What is fashion to you?
That is a difficult question. I’ve never really thought about it too much, as I can’t put it in words. But I believe fashion is something that follows naturally if you have faith in yourself. Fashion is an essential and appropriate means of expressing oneself.
--How would you describe yourself in a single word?
“Up and down.” That’s not one word, is it? Hmmm, maybe “dynamic.”
--What do you want to do next career-wise?
I want to work more extensively in Japan. I feel that my illustrations are a good fit with Japanese advertising and packaging, so I want to discover something new within that field.
I also want to go out more, meet more people, travel around, and fall in love. I mean, love is a great way to be inspired, isn’t it!?
Annika is an extremely charming girl who gives off the vibe of a “friendly older sister.” The girls that appear in her work look and dress like Japanese girls, also making them feel very intimate. Annika will be at the opening reception of her exhibition in Sapporo – please come meet her and find out for yourself! |
