WILL SWEENEY is an illustrator and graphic artist based in London.

With fans worldwide for his psychedelic artworks, created with meticulous yet bold use of color, he is active in a wide range of fields, including collaborations with numerous fashion brands such as UNDERCOVER, the creation of the adventure comic "Tales from Greenfuzz," and running his own T-shirt label "Alakazam !".

In 2018, he held his first solo exhibition in Japan in 11 years, "VORPAL SWORD," at DIESEL ART GALLERY in Shibuya, Tokyo. The title "VORPAL SWORD" was taken from the nonsense poem "Jabberwocky" that appears in Lewis Carroll's 1871 children's novel "Through the Looking-Glass."

This time, we asked him about the "UNDERCOVER Mr. Buttons lamp," scheduled for release in March, his thoughts on the collaboration with UNDERCOVER and MEDICOM TOY, the identity of the mysterious Mr. Buttons character, and behind-the-scenes stories related to its production.

— First, could you tell us about the cultures that have influenced you?

I became interested in punk music and its surrounding culture in my early teens. A friend lent me a Sex Pistols tape, and I was completely overwhelmed by the music and visuals. I soon watched the film "The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle" and became fascinated by the look, attitude, and iconography of UK punk. I also really liked The Clash, whose records my mother owned. I have fond memories of meeting Joe Strummer backstage at his concert in 1988, even if it was only for a short time.

When I was 16, I bought the Cramps compilation LP "Off The Bone," and they quickly became my favorite band. A little later, after learning about the UK counterculture and psychedelic music of the 1960s, I started attending festivals featuring bands of that ilk and witnessed the contemporary underground psychedelic scene firsthand. These experiences nurtured my visual and musical sides, and their influence remains strong in my work.

— How did the project for the "UNDERCOVER Mr. Buttons lamp" begin?

I've known Jun (Takahashi Jun, the designer) for a long time. We've collaborated on graphics several times in the past, and in 2007, we co-hosted an exhibition called "Mutatis Mutandis" at UNDERCOVER Aoyama with Susumu Mukai (ZONGAMIN).

Jun apparently thought of working together again when he saw "Glowskull" (released in 2016), a collaboration between MEDICOM TOY and myself. UNDERCOVER and MEDICOM TOY have previously produced original lamps, such as the "UNDERCOVER HAMBURGER LAMP," but when discussions began about collaborating with me, the mushroom idea was surprisingly quickly decided upon.

In "Mutatis Mutandis," I incorporated many mushroom and fungi images. Images like those from "Alice in Wonderland" or the Japanese sci-fi horror film "Matango" are very intriguing to both Jun and me. We aimed to create something that is both incredibly cute and has a slightly dark edge.

— What kind of character is Mr. Buttons? Please tell us about him, including his relationship with the spider.

Mr. Buttons is a new character I drew specifically for this project, but I feel he connects to the world of my comic "Tales From Greenfuzz." I've always wanted to create a mushroom-shaped character. I've given Mr. Buttons a delicate balance between cuteness and a slightly strange, mischievous feel. He looks like an innocent mushroom, but perhaps he's poisonous.

The spider is Mr. Buttons' best friend, and he doesn't have a name. They communicate telepathically. When the spider tells Mr. Buttons about the world beyond the magical forest where they live, Mr. Buttons shows him colorful lights.

— What aspects of the lamp's production did you focus on, and what are your favorite points?

My initial proposal was to have the light be quite bright and the colors intense, but Jun felt it should be more subdued. When I received the first product sample and saw the lighting effect created by the combination of the sculpture and colors, I was genuinely delighted. I knew I was working with people who create the best, so I had complete trust that they would accurately interpret my artwork.

— Is the gimmick of the lamp changing through four colors your idea?

We all brainstormed ideas. Jun, MEDICOM TOY, and I exchanged various suggestions. When I mentioned, "It would be great if we could make something like a 60s-style lava lamp," Jun proposed, "What if it blinked with several colors at set intervals?" There was a lot of excitement when that idea came up.

— Please tell us about the package illustration.

This is like a little preview for everyone, offering a glimpse into Mr. Buttons' world—a fairytale forest filled with strange creatures. I plan to create stories for comics and animations set in this forest in the future.

— You've collaborated with UNDERCOVER before on "Alakazam!" and other projects. What are your impressions?

UNDERCOVER is a fashion brand I love, and for me, it's become something beyond just a brand. I am constantly inspired by the work of Jun, who is both an artist and a designer. At its core, UNDERCOVER possesses a punk creativity, while also incorporating a retro-futuristic sensibility by combining pop culture elements from a unique perspective.

— You've released a wide range of products with MEDICOM TOY, including BE@RBRICK (WORLD WIDE TOUR), the soft vinyl figure "GLOWSKULL," and items using FABRICK textiles. Are there any particularly memorable items?

The "Glowskull" toy and the FABRICK pattern production were enjoyable processes, and I think they turned out wonderfully. The one-of-a-kind 1000% BE@RBRICK, which was hand-painted, was also a lot of work but a very rewarding endeavor. Thanks to years of collaboration with MEDICOM TOY, my work has reached an even wider audience, for which I am very grateful.

— Could you tell us about any projects you are currently working on?

A comic featuring a character called Mindseye Trooper is nearing completion and will be published by US publisherFantagraphics Booksunder the title "Tears of The Mindseye." In Japan, I am working on toy designs for the Mindseye series withFerntoy, who previously produced a Mindseye Trooper toy, and another company. Additionally, my archive collection book "Grok" will soon be published by the French publisher Mania.

— Finally, do you have a message for your fans in Japan?

Please make a place for this mushroom in your lives, so that Mr. Buttons can become a part of your everyday world!

UNDERCOVER Mr. Buttons lamp
Prototype Production | PERFECT-STUDIO
Size | Approx. 280mm height
Price | ¥45,000 (excluding tax)
Release Date | Scheduled for release on March 28, 2020
Distributor | UNDERCOVER
Retailers | MEDICOM TOY direct stores, MEDICOM TOY online stores, and select UNDERCOVER retailers

*Limited quantity sale. Please forgive us if it sells out.

©︎ WILL SWEENEY