Painter Jimmy Onishi marked his 30th anniversary in art in 2022. With his nationwide touring exhibition "POP OUT," which covers his career to date, proving a great success, MEDICOM TOY announced the release of BE@RBRICK "Jungle Song," inspired by his early works.

Currently, his 30th anniversary exhibition"POP OUT"is touring the country. Jimmy Onishi began painting in earnest in 1992, prompted by a TV program, and quickly gained recognition from prominent artists and critics, launching his career as a painter. This exhibition showcases over 100 works, spanning from his early period to his time living abroad and including unreleased new series, comprehensively covering his artistic journey.

Although he took a hiatus from painting in 2015, he resumed his creative activities in 2020 after hearing the words of his mentor, Akashiya Sanma: "Many people are out of work due to the pandemic. Whether it's art or comedy, there's no need for money to entertain people." Since restarting his artistic endeavors, he has been enthusiastically exploring new forms of expression, employing techniques that layer colors to create a sense of depth.

Ahead of the release of "BE@RBRICK Jimmy Onishi "Jungle Song" 100% & 400% / 1000%," inspired by his early works and produced by MEDICOM TOY, we asked him for his thoughts on the finished BE@RBRICK via email interview.

Jimmy Onishi
A comedian active on numerous programs, known for his shocking humor stemming from his unique persona. He is also famous for his fantastical anecdotes and numerous signature gags. He unveiled his paintings in Yomiuri TV's project "Jimmy Onishi Debuts in the Art World," earning acclaim from renowned artists and critics. In 1993, he held his first solo exhibition, officially beginning his career as a painter.
[Biography]
1964 Born in Osaka
1982 Joined Yoshimoto Kogyo
1992 Unveiled paintings for a TV program, attracting attention.
1993 Held his first solo exhibition in Shibuya.
1996 Suspended entertainment activities to focus on painting. Moved to Spain, the land of Picasso.
1997 Jimmy Onishi Painting Exhibition held nationwide.
1999 Received the Cultural Merit Award from the government of the state of Pará, Brazil.
Created original artwork for the commemorative stamp of the "23rd Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships."
2000 Held "Jimmy Onishi Original Art Exhibition" (Tokyo).
2002 Held solo exhibitions "Jimmy Onishi's Energy of Nature Exhibition" (Tokyo, Kyoto).
2003 Selected for the label design of Beaujolais Nouveau.
2008 After living in Spain, he moved to the Mediterranean island of Malta, his second home, after wandering through various parts of the world while traveling between Japan and Spain.
Held "Fragments of Dreams Exhibition," which toured 12 venues nationwide and attracted overwhelming crowds.
2012 Held "Jimmy Onishi "Dream Works" Exhibition" at Gucci Shinjuku.
Held a solo exhibition "Challenge and Innovation" to commemorate his 20th anniversary as a painter.
The nationwide touring exhibition, starting at Ginza Mitsukoshi, recorded an overwhelming number of visitors.
2015 Suspended painting
2020 Resumed creative activities as a painter for the first time in five years.
2022 Held the 30th anniversary exhibition "POP OUT"

──What has been the reaction and response to "Jimmy Onishi's 30th Anniversary Exhibition "POP OUT," which is currently touring the country?

Jimmy Onishi(Hereafter, Onishi) I am grateful that more people are visiting than I had imagined.

──Akashiya Sanma, who inspired you to start painting and also advised you when you resumed your activities as a painter in 2020 after a hiatus, what is the most memorable thing he has said to you about your art?

OnishiBefore I started working as a painter, when I was drawing with Sanma's daughter,IMALU, he said, "Jimmy, you draw such unusual pictures." That memory stands out.

──Your new work, "THE Ginza," is a meticulously detailed landscape painting of the intersection at Ginza 4-chome. It is also being created live as performance art at the "POP OUT" exhibition. Since resuming your painting career, have there been any changes in your style, motifs, or techniques compared to before?

OnishiThe first phase was 'pushing out from a square frame.' The second phase was 'pushing out from the canvas like an album.' And now, the third phase is painting with the image of 'pushing forward.'

──Having traveled the world and seen many works, which artists have particularly influenced you?

OnishiI was deeply moved by Picasso's work "Science and Charity."

──Could you tell us about the inspiration behind "Jungle Song" (1994), the work that inspired the BE@RBRICK being released this time, any memories from its creation, challenges you faced, and any memorable reactions at the time?

OnishiIt's an early work, painted in Spain. This piece marked a turning point in my artistic style.

──BE@RBRICK has collaborated with numerous artists, including Andy Warhol, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," and Japanese ukiyo-e artists. How did you feel about your work being added to that lineup?

OnishiI am deeply honored... (embarrassed).

──The entire body is printed with "Jungle Song," giving it a different impression than your original painting. What are your thoughts on the finished "BE@RBRICK"?

OnishiI was deeply moved to see the bears become so colorful.

──Could you tell us about any toys you collected or cherished as a child?

OnishiWhen I was little, I wanted a teddy bear and wrote to Santa Claus for Christmas asking for a "bear." But I received a stuffed bear and ended up crying.

──Are you interested in creating three-dimensional works in the future? Is there anything you would like to do with MEDICOM TOY?

OnishiIf I had the funds, I would definitely like to try.

BE@RBRICK Jimmy Onishi "Jungle Song" 100% & 400% / 1000%
Size | Approx. 70mm / 280mm / 700mm each
Price | [100% & 400%] ¥13,200 (incl. tax) / [1000%] ¥74,800 (incl. tax)
Sales Method | Limited release at each MEDICOM TOY direct store and online store, as well as select other retailers.
Release Date | Scheduled for January 2023
*Photos are of a sample under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
©️YOSHIMOTO KOGYO
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001-2023 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

Jimmy Onishi's 30th Anniversary Art Exhibition "POP OUT"
Held in Tokyo, Shizuoka, Saitama, Niigata, Hokkaido, Hiroshima, and Aichi since April 2022.
(Upcoming schedule is as follows)
Fukuoka: April 1 - April 17, 2023 @ Fukuoka Mitsukoshi
Okinawa: April 28 - June 4, 2023 @ Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum
Osaka: Scheduled for around June 2023
Official Website: https://jimmy-onishi.art/