The Yak tracked down Japanese collage-painter Hutomo Ishii to find out more about his new gallery space and what drives the works within it.
After a long career in theatre, fashion and industrial design, Ishii first came to Bali in 1990 for a holiday, he became entranced by the island's inspirational beauty, and returned soon after. Dividing his time between Tokyo and Bali, Ishii began to explore the aromatherapy market, establishing his own brand of healing products called Bali Harum.
With each visit, his love for poems and collection of found materials began to reemerge from his youth, and Ishii began to paint again with renewed spirit. He gave his first and second solo exhibitions whilst in Yokohama, before his third showing at the design showcase Produk Aksara, in Jakarta. This was also part of the citywide JakArt Festival in 2001.
Having just established his own Bali studio last November on the trendy Oberoi strip, Ishii took some time out to offer some afternoon insights into his work's current direction and methods.
