Lena
Yokoyama
Lena is a Japanese / Austrian illustrator and printmaker based in London. Her optimistic and playful illustrations feature characters of different shapes and sizes, with use of plentiful colour and texture. Combining analogue and digital tools, Lena's work takes roots in Riso and print-based techniques.
Often exploring themes connected to social values and cultural identity, she describes herself as a 'visual translator' and uses illustration to create bridges between different ideas and cultures. Working across a broad range of mediums, her clients include The Tate, Selfridges, The New York Times, Hermès, The Guardian and Red Bull to name but a few.
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I love seeing my illustrations come to life and shown at such a large scale. I feel that you can really step into my world and interact with the characters I create.
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I really enjoy experimenting with different materials and combining them with my digital work. The imperfections make it all feel a lot more human.
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There’s something about scale that just makes any illustration more exciting. I find it really rewarding to have my work be part of a space that can positively impact it’s environment.
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I love creating compositions through limited layers and letting colours overlap to create different shades. The process of Riso has been teaching me how to do that on a continuous basis.
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I like working with materials that make it hard to draw perfect lines. I really enjoy the variety of gritty, wonky and imperfect lines I can create with just one ink brush.
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One of the best parts of creating art for me is to see it find purpose in the real world. It’s my way of connecting to people, my environment and meaningful conversations.
Kris Andrew Small
Owen Gildersleeve
London
Somerset House
West Wing M19, Strand
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+44(0)2033 322 582
hello@grandmatter.com
New York
The Yard , South Williamsburg
195 Broadway, 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11211
hello@grandmatter.com
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