Taka Sudo, a contemporary artist originally from Tokyo, now finds his canvas in British Columbia, Canada, where he has been residing since 2007. His artistic journey reflects a fusion of vastly different environments, bridging the dense urban landscape of Tokyo with the expansive natural beauty of BC. This unique juxtaposition of settings fuels his creative expression, giving rise to a style that harmoniously blends disparate elements. In his work, Sudo explores the intersection of urban and organic, bold and subtle, East and West. He combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary Western techniques to navigate through what he describes as “beautiful chaos.” This approach is not just a method but a narrative tool, through which Sudo contemplates his dual identity and the broader dialogue of cultural integration and identity exploration. The essence of Sudo’s art lies in its ability to convey strong, true energy found amidst the real and unreal. He employs an array of materials including neon and neutral colours, newsprint, and photo collages, assembling them into organic shapes that represent our environment, existence, and the dynamic flow of everyday life. His work is a visual representation of current affairs, information, and individual passion, making visible the invisible energies that define our collective experience.
Most importantly, Sudo credits his evolution as an artist to the diverse and creative people he meets worldwide. These interactions are not just inspirations but integral components of his art, reflecting the interconnectedness of human experiences and the resilience found in shared creative endeavours.
-Written by Kevan Seng, Capulet Art & Framing Inc. Director
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Which ‘hood are you in?
I live in the East Village neighbourhood and work at my studio in the Strathcona neighbourhood. I ride the bike to my studio every day and love to go running to New Brighton Park after work. Lots of cool artist studios around here. Also great restaurants, shops, bars and breweries. I love the chill and creative vibes in the neighbourhood.
What do you do?
Painting. Canvas, mural, graphic, illustration, live painting, I’m working on various kinds of projects. I’m also helping with art direction/curation for the new local craft beer brand “Hypha Project”. When not in my painting studio, I’m skiing in Whistler or surfing in Tofino.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on some mural projects, commission works, graphic projects etc, and planning a pop-up exhibition this fall. Also planning a fun exhibition/event in winter with Hypha Project and Intuition Liner (local ski & snowboard boots
liner brand) to put art, snow sports and parties all together.
Where can we find your work?
You can check my work on my website and Instagram.
Also, you can find my murals around the city on building walls, at some restaurants/shops, and on beer cans, wine bottles, skis, snowboards and skateboards etc. In winter, I can be found often on the ski hill.
