Yokai Series - The KooKoo Kids
My Yokai Series is based on the idea of the Japanese ‘yokai’ - a demon/monster/ghost. Yokai were traditionally created as ways to give a face or description to either an event, a presence, or an object. For example, there are yokai that are inspired by the particular sound in a forest at night, the legend of a two-faced woman, or a possessed umbrella. They have been depicted in art as far back as the Muromachi period (15th century), and continue to be made today - Hayao Miyazaki loves to include his own yokai in his movies, and even Pokemon are a form of yokai!
In my Yokai Series I decided to use the art and tradition of yokai as a way to satirically expose and give a face to what I consider modern monsters - from sexual predators to the KKK - or people that have infamously abused their control and power over others. My goal is that by depicting these modern monsters in ridiculous, exaggerated, and animalistic ways, I can call out, disempower, and discredit the fear and power they hold/have held, and to give the power back to their victims.
I hope that through such small acts as art and writing, we can dethrone those who have misused and abused their power, and that a new wave of compassionate and balanced leaders can emerge.
This particular yokai seeks to exposethe KKK and other white supremacists. Instead of depicting this group as terrifying and monstrous (as they really are), I wanted to disempower them by turning them into a drooling, incapable, non-threatening group of children, so that their outer appearance is as immature and ridiculous as their values. The angry-faced patch was particularly satisfying to draw - pointing to the fact that all their acts of violence are essentially their under-developed way of throwing a tantrum because they’re not happy they have to share the land they stole in the first place.
Original done with ‘Golden Liquid Acrylics’ on watercolor paper
Prints measure 9” x 12” (with a 1/2” white border)
Printed on hot-pressed artist paper
All prints are signed and dated with current year on back.
Prints are made on-demand. Please allow 5-7 business days for your print to be made and then signed, packaged, and shipped.
Shipping is done through USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail (with tracking). Use discount code SHIPFREE for orders $50+ to get free shipping.
My Yokai Series is based on the idea of the Japanese ‘yokai’ - a demon/monster/ghost. Yokai were traditionally created as ways to give a face or description to either an event, a presence, or an object. For example, there are yokai that are inspired by the particular sound in a forest at night, the legend of a two-faced woman, or a possessed umbrella. They have been depicted in art as far back as the Muromachi period (15th century), and continue to be made today - Hayao Miyazaki loves to include his own yokai in his movies, and even Pokemon are a form of yokai!
In my Yokai Series I decided to use the art and tradition of yokai as a way to satirically expose and give a face to what I consider modern monsters - from sexual predators to the KKK - or people that have infamously abused their control and power over others. My goal is that by depicting these modern monsters in ridiculous, exaggerated, and animalistic ways, I can call out, disempower, and discredit the fear and power they hold/have held, and to give the power back to their victims.
I hope that through such small acts as art and writing, we can dethrone those who have misused and abused their power, and that a new wave of compassionate and balanced leaders can emerge.
This particular yokai seeks to exposethe KKK and other white supremacists. Instead of depicting this group as terrifying and monstrous (as they really are), I wanted to disempower them by turning them into a drooling, incapable, non-threatening group of children, so that their outer appearance is as immature and ridiculous as their values. The angry-faced patch was particularly satisfying to draw - pointing to the fact that all their acts of violence are essentially their under-developed way of throwing a tantrum because they’re not happy they have to share the land they stole in the first place.
Original done with ‘Golden Liquid Acrylics’ on watercolor paper
Prints measure 9” x 12” (with a 1/2” white border)
Printed on hot-pressed artist paper
All prints are signed and dated with current year on back.
Prints are made on-demand. Please allow 5-7 business days for your print to be made and then signed, packaged, and shipped.
Shipping is done through USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail (with tracking). Use discount code SHIPFREE for orders $50+ to get free shipping.
My Yokai Series is based on the idea of the Japanese ‘yokai’ - a demon/monster/ghost. Yokai were traditionally created as ways to give a face or description to either an event, a presence, or an object. For example, there are yokai that are inspired by the particular sound in a forest at night, the legend of a two-faced woman, or a possessed umbrella. They have been depicted in art as far back as the Muromachi period (15th century), and continue to be made today - Hayao Miyazaki loves to include his own yokai in his movies, and even Pokemon are a form of yokai!
In my Yokai Series I decided to use the art and tradition of yokai as a way to satirically expose and give a face to what I consider modern monsters - from sexual predators to the KKK - or people that have infamously abused their control and power over others. My goal is that by depicting these modern monsters in ridiculous, exaggerated, and animalistic ways, I can call out, disempower, and discredit the fear and power they hold/have held, and to give the power back to their victims.
I hope that through such small acts as art and writing, we can dethrone those who have misused and abused their power, and that a new wave of compassionate and balanced leaders can emerge.
This particular yokai seeks to exposethe KKK and other white supremacists. Instead of depicting this group as terrifying and monstrous (as they really are), I wanted to disempower them by turning them into a drooling, incapable, non-threatening group of children, so that their outer appearance is as immature and ridiculous as their values. The angry-faced patch was particularly satisfying to draw - pointing to the fact that all their acts of violence are essentially their under-developed way of throwing a tantrum because they’re not happy they have to share the land they stole in the first place.
Original done with ‘Golden Liquid Acrylics’ on watercolor paper
Prints measure 9” x 12” (with a 1/2” white border)
Printed on hot-pressed artist paper
All prints are signed and dated with current year on back.
Prints are made on-demand. Please allow 5-7 business days for your print to be made and then signed, packaged, and shipped.
Shipping is done through USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail (with tracking). Use discount code SHIPFREE for orders $50+ to get free shipping.