Artist Kosuke Kawamura, known globally for his collage techniques, has created a BE@RBRICK in collaboration with NEXUSVII. We interviewed him about the background and his thoughts behind the project.

Kosuke Kawamura is an artist who has gained international recognition for his collage technique, which involves deconstructing materials and transforming them into entirely new works. He has collaborated with brands like Adidas, Casio, and Uniqlo, as well as popular anime such as "AKIRA" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion."
He is now releasing a new BE@RBRICK, created in collaboration with NEXUSVII., with whom he has a long-standing close relationship. This BE@RBRICK features shredded artwork embedded within its body.

Kosuke Kawamura
Collage Artist, Graphic Designer
Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1979. In 2006, he was selected for the exhibition "Takashi Nemoto and Others / Selected! Cheerful Days." In 2012, he held a solo exhibition at the "LUFF" festival in Lausanne, Switzerland. In the same year, he was responsible for the main visual of the "Katsuhiro Otomo GENGA Exhibition." In 2017, he created "INSIDE BABEL" (in conjunction with the "Tower of Babel" exhibition) in collaboration with Katsuhiro Otomo. He presented a collage work using Katsuhiro Otomo and AKIRA for the Shibuya PARCO Art Wall project "AD 2019." In 2018, he handled the graphics for the S/S adidas Originals and United Arrows & Sons collaborative collection. In April 2022, he was appointed Creative Director for Uniqlo's graphic T-shirt brand "UT."

— In past interviews, you've mentioned Linder Sterling, Gee Vaucher, and Winston Smith as artists who influenced you. Could you tell us about how you encountered their work?

Kosuke Kawamura(Hereafter, Kawamura) I first encountered their work through record jackets.

[Editorial Note]
Linder Sterling
Born in the UK in 1954. Gained attention for the cover art of the 1977 punk band The Buzzcocks' single "Orgasm Addict." She was also active as the former frontwoman of the Manchester-based post-punk band Ludus.

Gee Vaucher
Born in the UK in 1945. After meeting her creative partner Penny Rimbaud, she created numerous album jacket artworks, including for the 1978 anarcho-punk band CRASS album "The Feeding of the 5000."

Winston Smith
Born in the USA in 1952. Based in San Francisco, he has created artwork for the hardcore punk band DEAD KENNEDYS' albums "Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death" and "In God We Trust, Inc.," as well as for works by the band's frontman, Jello Biafra.

— How has your collage technique using a shredder evolved over time? Could you tell us about any turning points, specific works, or challenges you've faced?

KawamuraInitially, my works were abstract, but around 2017, they evolved into the current form, using only a single photograph as material. I don't really have specific turning points; I simply give form to whatever I find interesting at the moment. A challenge I still face with every piece is achieving the right balance when shifting and returning elements of a single photograph.

— This BE@RBRICK is a collaboration between KOSUKE KAWAMURA, NEXUSVII., and the art gallery SO1, featuring shredded artwork inside its body. How did the production process unfold through your discussions?

KawamuraWhile I often create two-dimensional works, I've always wanted to explore three-dimensional pieces. So, NEXUSVII., with whom I've had a long-standing relationship, facilitated this project, leveraging their deep knowledge of Medicom Toy. The production was realized through the curation of SO1, my affiliated gallery.

— Please tell us about the concept, any challenges during production, and the artwork inside.

KawamuraI wanted to create a special BE@RBRICK. The idea started with the concept of filling a transparent body with my shredded artwork. I then meticulously cut and embedded motifs I frequently use in my work, such as US dollar artwork.

— How did you first meet Tomohiro Konno of NEXUSVII.? What do you find in common, and what do you typically discuss?

KawamuraI met Konno about ten years ago through the artist collective Chim↑Pom. We have many mutual friends, so we can easily chat about trivial things. I'm particularly impressed by his dedication to unique crafts, like Yakusugi (Japanese cedar) dyeing and rose dyeing, and his earnest approach to clothing production.

— What are your impressions of Medicom Toy?

KawamuraIt's a global brand that even my friends worldwide recognize. It represents a culture in itself.

— Do you have any ideas for future BE@RBRICK designs? Is there anything else you'd like to collaborate on with Medicom Toy?

KawamuraIdeally, I'd like to tackle a 1000% size next.

— You've had diverse collaborations with artists like Katsuhiro Otomo, Andy Warhol, Takashi Nemoto, and characters like Godzilla. What is your criteria for choosing collaborations?

KawamuraI don't have a specific criteria. I prioritize doing what feels right to me intuitively at the moment.

BE@RBRICK KOSUKE KAWAMURA × NEXUSVII. × SO1 400%
Size | Approx. 280mm (H)
How to Purchase |NEXUSVII. official online storeScheduled for release
Release Date | Scheduled for January 2023
Price | ¥22,000 (tax included)
*Limited quantity. Please forgive us if sold out.
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