Jeff's art creates a sense of discomfort the more you look at it.
A.: We are pleased to announce that Daiwa Pier 39 will be releasing an item with Jeff's artwork on it.
Jeff:The theme of my work is "the coexistence of fish and human beings. . This is something I have been thinking about ever since I started fishing. By the way, I am not a vegetarian, so I eat fish and meat.
What do you mean by "coexistence" in this context?
Jeff:In fishing, no matter how good you are with a rod or how much you know about gear, you can't catch fish if you don't know about fish. Carp can live in dirty LA rivers, but trout need clean water to survive, right? I believe that learning about the ecology of such fish, learning about their habitat, and learning about their values will lead to coexistence.
Also, for example, people who skateboard on the street see the city differently because they are always thinking about where they can do their tricks. It is the same with fishing. When you are going to fish for trout in a river or lake, you think from the car, "Is the water clean in this place? It is very valuable to be able to think like that, and I think it is important to pay attention to the ecosystem.
Indeed, that perspective is unique to an angler.
Jeff:I heard about a fisherman who has been fishing for 50 years, and he goes out with his fishing pole, but he doesn't fish. Of course, he knew perfectly well what to do to catch fish, and the spots he was visiting were perfect for catching trout. But at one point, he asked himself, "Why am I getting in the way of the fish?" He thought.
It is true that being "caught" is painful for fish, and no fish wants to be caught. I believe that having such a deep understanding will lead to coexistence.
. By coexistence, you mean building a relationship between fish and humans.
Jeff:I don't think the fish would understand (laughs). But you have to make breakthroughs to expand your world and change your perspective. . not just reading books or watching YouTube, but you have to have hands-on experience.
Jeff:And, as with everything, you can't understand the essence of something just by reading a book or watching a movie, can you? By actually experiencing fishing and feeling what it is like, you can grasp the essence of the fish, and this will lead to coexistence. Sorry for being so difficult (laughs).
The motif is trout, isn't it?
Jeff:Yes, it's a bit odd, don't you think? . the size of a human and a trout are the same.
Indeed. From a distance, neither of them looks like a person.
Jeff:When you take a quick look at my art, you can vaguely see what I am depicting, but when you take a closer look, you can see that there is something strange about it. In this artwork, at a quick glance, it looks like two human friends standing shoulder-to-shoulder, but upon closer inspection, you realize, "No, it's a fish. I started by asking myself, "If you're going to be friends with a fish, shouldn't you be in the ocean? or "Either way, sea or land, one is suffering, isn't it? . It's a pop image, but I'd be happy if people would think about the story behind it. It's a simple thing, but it's also deep and complex, and I think that's what makes it interesting.
Jeff's unique perspective is incorporated into your work, isn't it?
Jeff:. my perspective is always open and I think I see things a little differently. . This definitely influences my art as well. . so I am interested in having my art influence the way people see things, and I would be happy if that were to happen. Sorry that was very confusing , (laughs).
Thank you very much. By the way, you are wearing the Daiwa Pier 39 today, aren't you?
Jeff:They are very easy to wear and the quality is wonderful. They are not sold in the U.S. yet, so when I wear them in Los Angeles, people ask me, "Where are those clothes from? When I wear them in L.A., people ask me, "Where are those clothes from? By the way, I bought the "Filson" hat for a few dollars on eBay. It looks good on me, doesn't it?
