In Mutation Daijiro introduces us to the developing character of Puman: a seemingly solitary (self) portrait. Puman represents a side of him that is closely connected to nature. Muku, as he likes to call it: the pure and unspoiled.
Moreover, looking into the spotless eyes of Puman we can find a part of ourselves. Is it possible that everyone houses a Puman? Or is that a result of the recent global changes? We have seen ourselves a lot lately…
We also see a Mutation in Daijiro’s recent technique. For his Paris exhibition he started using colour to emphasize the monochrome origin of his work.

In your solo show you introduce the character of Puman to us.
Puman is a self-portrait but it is the viewer’s portrait too. It is like a mirror that reflects a certain part of us. In the process of digging deep into my inner world, it appeared to me as a character. Puman is something that I hate but it is always showing up in the end. I need to accept it, even though I don’t like it. At times, it can be natural and honest, but it can also give trouble. Maybe everyone has this kind of side. Puman often shows his face like Muku. Muku means innocent and pure when translated. What I’m trying to say is that the face of Puman is always muku, blank, and as its viewer you might project your own emotion to its face. So the way Puman looks, depends on how you feel. I’m going to make new character in the future called AI, a robot. Al is the complete opposite. But let’s talk about that another time.

We talk about the process of creating an artwork. What does that mean to you?
Inspiration comes to me without thinking. The trigger is usually an emotion, not necessarily a visual, although it can happen. I want to assimilate what comes from very deep inside me. It is something answering to a thought or an action and embodying everyday kind of feelings. To express what is inside me, I use my technique and subjects such as Kuukan and Puman. Aesthetics, directions and stories. The process of creating an artwork is integrating with what happens deep down inside (and outside) of me. The process intrigues me. I need to face it by myself and create it by myself. It is as if I am making a toy. The road to get there can be joyful, but also frightening and a struggle.