cover #4 tomoo gokita

interview by OLIVIER ZAHM portrait by CHIKASHI SUZUKI   Tomoo Gokita’s paintings draw inspiration from Japanese subcultural references — vintage magazines, film stills, adult publications, and found images — transforming them into a symbolic and enigmatic visual language that deconstructs identity and narcissism.   OLIVIER ZAHM — Would you agree that your paintings smile at us ironically? TOMOO GOKITA — I completely agree. I want people to laugh all the time. OLIVIER ZAHM — Are painted people more interesting to you than real people? TOMOO GOKITA — I think real people are crazier and more dangerous. OLIVIER ZAHM — Do you like French Surrealists? TOMOO GOKITA — I’m not particularly interested in Surrealism, but I find it interesting that so many people point out the similarities with my work. OLIVIER ZAHM — Do you collect vintage comics and magazines? TOMOO GOKITA — Ten years ago, I stopped buying magazines as…