INTERVIEW | Artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara: A Couple's Gallery
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INTERVIEW | Artists Ushio and Noriko Shinohara: A Couple's Gallery

Avant-garde artists Ushio Shinohara (left) and Noriko Shinohara, living in Brooklyn.
The documentary "Cutie and the Boxer," which follows the couple, has become a major topic of conversation across the United States.
At the beginning of the film, there is a scene where 80-year-old "Gyu-chan," Ushio, performs his signature "boxing painting."
On the day of our interview, Ushio demonstrated boxing poses.
On the day of our interview, Ushio demonstrated boxing poses.
He dips gloves with sponges attached into paint and then punches at the canvas.
In the 1960s, Ushio was active as part of the "Neo-Dadaism" unit with Genpei Akasegawa and others.
Ushio was also the first in Japan to sport a mohawk (his spiky hairstyle remains to this day).
Then, in 1969, he moved to the United States on a scholarship from the Rockefeller Foundation.
He has been based in New York ever since.
A spacious two-story loft in Brooklyn. This is the atelier and residence of Ushio and Noriko Shinohara.
The couple's atelier and residence.
Their home is filled with their artworks.
There is no door for the toilet. If it rains, buckets are needed for leaks.
Brooklyn is now known as a trendy area, but when they moved from SoHo 30 years ago, it was so dangerous that people wouldn't go out at night.
The film was inspired by journalist Patrick Burns (the film's producer) bringing Zachary Heinzerling (the film's director) here five years ago.
"Initially, the filming naturally focused on Gyu-chan, and both Patrick and Zack praised Gyu-chan's art and personality, so I said, 'Wait a minute, it's not that simple,'" says Noriko.
"At the time, Zack (note: director Zachary Heinzerling) was only 24, like a child. When he started spending so much time here, I felt like our home had become an orphanage," says Noriko.
"We are artists, so it was like we were a group of orphans, like street children," says Noriko.
Noriko moved to the US at age 19 in 1972 and met Ushio, who was 41 at the time.
The film also features an episode where Noriko was immediately asked to pay rent the following month.
What sets this film apart from conventional artist documentaries is that the couple openly depicts their raw daily lives, such as struggling to pay rent.
The film vividly conveys the hardships of life, showing how even famous artists can struggle with monthly rent.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the residential area.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
Atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
The couple's atelier and residence. The photo shows the atelier.
Ushio's signature series of motorcycles made from cardboard.
Ushio's signature series of motorcycles made from cardboard.
Noriko moved to the US at age 19 in 1972 and met Ushio, who was 41 at the time. The series "Cutie and Bullie," which she began painting in 2007, depicts Cutie, her alter ego, and Bullie, Ushio's alter ego.
Director Heinzerling (left) first filmed the entire "Cutie and Bullie" series and created an animated version using computer graphics.
In September 2010, Heinzerling created a three-minute trailer and submitted it to the San Francisco Film Society, where it won the Golden Gate Award. The $20,000 prize money helped complete the film.
The original artwork for "Cutie and the Boxer" by Noriko.
When asked for their thoughts on the film, Ushio said, "I was disappointed. The scene of the boxing painting filmed in the park was cut, and the movie became a love story."
Ushio further commented, "It lacked the crucial parts that delve into the secrets of Gyu-chan's art, so I wasn't interested."
Hearing this, Noriko retorted, "You're not interested because you're not the main character, right? (laughs)"
A photo of a young Noriko in a swimsuit. She was beautiful.
The film's charm lies in its many sharp lines from Noriko scattered throughout.
"I've been filmed since the 60s. I love being filmed so much that I can't create without an audience. So, I acted it out myself," says Ushio.
The film also incorporates many past scenes shot on home video, including precious footage of Ushio crying while drunk.
"There's a scene in the movie where I bring home a wad of cash and sniff it, right? That's my acting," says Ushio.
"I say, 'You don't actually have enough money,' but the scene where I say, 'I have to pay $4,000 in rent, but I only have $3,000!' was cut. They softened the editing because I was too harsh (laughs)," says Noriko.
"Watching the movie, I thought, 'How pathetic my life is.' The parts showing Ushio and me are filmed too beautifully," says Noriko.
"Well, when you're an artist in New York, you get pushed to your limits, and various illusions are born. If you have a regular job, you don't have time to paint," says Ushio.
Ushio continues, "But in New York, regardless of such things, top artists from all over the world gather and compete fiercely, so if you don't focus on your art, you can't win."
Hearing this, Noriko quietly added, "I came here to study abroad, but I ended up with a man 20 years my senior, so my allowance from home stopped, and I couldn't return to Japan. I didn't even have money for a plane ticket, and there was no guarantee of income if I went back."
Despite all these difficulties, they never separated, which makes their strong bond undeniable.
Ushio (left) and Noriko.
"Breaking up is the ideal. But divorce is a luxury for the rich. It's hard enough to pay rent, and we're asking the landlord for extensions, so we can't afford rent for two places," says Noriko.
The inspiration for "Cutie and Bullie." An object with slits, inspired by wine crates.
The "Cutie and Bullie" illustrations are drawn on the back of this object. It was exhibited at a group show at the Japan Society in 2007.
Noriko, as Ushio's right-hand woman, has played many roles. Her own creative turning point came in 2007.
"Until then, no matter how large a painting I created or how many exhibitions I held, I couldn't be sure that I was an artist," says Noriko.
However, by painting "Cutie and Bullie," she felt, "This is my original work!"
"In my 41st year, I felt it was my perfect creation. For the first time, I felt I was an artist to the bone," says Noriko.
Noriko, who uses "Gyu-chan" as her creative inspiration, has deep love for Ushio.
"After all, it would be a waste not to use such an interesting subject right beside me," Noriko says with a smile.
Original artwork for "Cutie and Bullie" by Noriko.
The boxer used in Ushio's signature "boxing painting."
The boxer used in Ushio's signature "boxing painting."
Ushio, based in New York since 1969.
When asked about the significance of being an artist in New York, he replied, "New York is the world's cutting edge. The competition is fierce. It's rewarding."
"Not selling is my energy. If I sold, I'd become lazy," says Ushio.
Noriko (left) and Ushio.
Regarding "Cutie and Bullie," Ushio said, "It's funny how I'm being punched and kicked." Noriko added, "At first, Gyu-chan said, 'This isn't art. Why are you painting this?'"
On the bookshelf are Ushio's favorite manga, "Detective Conan" and "One Piece."
"Not selling is my energy," says Ushio.
Ushio during a painting session.
Inspired by the film, Ushio seems to have a new dream. "After the film screening, when I went on stage, the audience gave me a standing ovation. There were over 1,500 people. I realized that movie audiences react very directly with joy."
"In a museum, everyone just watches silently. I want to create art that excites people like that," says Ushio.
The film is scheduled for release in Japan in December. We hope you will see these two exceptionally charming artists on the big screen.
<div id="Cutie and the Boxer
Director: Zachary Heinzerling
Executive Producers: Lydia Dean Pilcher, Kiki Miyake
Producers: Sierra Pettengill, Patrick Burns, Zachary Heinzerling
Starring: Ushio Shinohara, Noriko Shinohara
Cinematography: Zachary Heinzerling
Editing: David Teague
Music: Yasuaki Shimizu
http://www.cutieandtheboxer.com/
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INTERVIEW: Ushio and Noriko Shinohara - Gallery

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