We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taiji Kuroda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Taiji, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This summer, I held a solo exhibition in New York titled “The Price of Convenience,” which stands out as the most meaningful project I’ve undertaken. I designed this exhibition was not just about showcasing drawings. it was designed as an immersive, multi-sensory event.

The theme of the exhibition was about “meat.” For the opening event, friends I met in the creative community since moving to New York helped make it happen. A restaurant provided beef sandwiches, while another friend’s brewery offered craft beer. Additionally, we received support from a sake brewery in Brooklyn and Suntory, offering a variety of drinks. Through this collaboration, we were able to create a unique space where visual art and culinary experiences seamlessly came together. Visitors not only enjoyed the artwork but also engaged in conversations about the theme, fostering connections and lively discussions.

The success of this exhibition was made possible thanks to the invaluable support of friends and businesses who resonated with the concept. Their collaboration and shared vision were instrumental in bringing this special project to life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in Kobe, Japan, and for the past 14 years, I’ve been immersed in the vibrant cultural landscape of Brooklyn, NY. As both a charcoal drawing artist and a graphic designer, my work is deeply influenced by my passion for jazz, which drives much of my creative output.

After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2015 with a degree in Communication Design, I began working as a graphic designer. While designing CDs/LPs, flyers, and posters for NY-based jazz musicians, I began drawing portrait reproductions of Blue Note records cover and local musicians’ portraits, and started my career as a charcoal drawing artist. I have drawn musician portraits for Jazz at Lincoln Center Dizzy’s club (2016) and drew the founder portrait for Beam Suntory New York (2018).

Over the years, I have exhibited my work at a number of different venues. These include a group exhibition entitled “Alternative Reality” at SPACEWOMb Gallery (Long Island City, NY, 2013) and solo exhibitions such as “Still life” at Takumen (Long Island City, NY, Summer 2019) , “Ohanami (lit. flower-viewing)” at Snow Peak Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY, May 2023) and “The Price of Convenience” at Nepenthes NY (July 2024)

my work reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, cultural, and the unique stories of each subject. I strive to create pieces that leave a lasting impression. You can explore more of my work, including my drawings and design projects, on my website. I hope it gives you a sense of my artistic vision and inspires a connection to the stories I tell through my art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey’s mission is to emphasize the importance of taking time and paying attention to the things in front of us in a world dominated by speed and convenience. With the advent of the internet and smartphones, the time we spend engaging with things has decreased, and in the digital world, it feels as though we are living at twice the speed even more than that. Through my charcoal drawings, I aim to encourage viewers to pause, immerse themselves in things of texture and structure, and notice the subtle nuances of the world around them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Art can convey messages through visuals and experiences rather than words. Because of its indirectness, it can be interpreted in various ways, and each viewer can find different meanings. This room for interpretation invites you on a journey to deepen your understanding and find answers. We have no idea where the answer lies, but art opens us to new perspectives and ways of thinking while imagining the possibility that small everyday discoveries can lead to big realizations. These awareness are the driving force behind change.These realizations are the driving force for change and have brought me excitement and joy that I had never experienced before I started creating art. Art has also led to special connections. It has introduced me to many fascinating people with unique ideas and perspectives, enriching my life and making it more meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.taijikuroda.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taijikuroda/