Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you currently reside and work? Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.

2-How would you describe Maki Sato? Cheerful and nervous.

3-Did you attend an art school or is it inherent? I attended an art school for a very short time. It was very boring.

4-How long have you been making art and what lead you to start? It all started when I was 15 years old and I saw a book of art by Jasper Johns. I couldn’t believe that familiar numbers and flags could be turned into art.

5-How did you acquire your style? It all comes naturally to me.  Although I am not aware of it, I think I am greatly influenced by the artists I admire.

6-Have you ever come across a piece of art that you could not or did not want to stop looking at? Of course! The times I encounter such work are the happiest moment for me.

7-Tell us something about the art world that you want to see changed? There is nothing in particular that I would like to change. With the spread of the Internet, there are more and more opportunities for artists to be active anywhere in the world, even if they are not famous, so I think it’s a good time.

8-Why make art? Because it’s fun!

9-The future is _________? gonna be okay.

10-What does a random day in your life look like, from start to finish? Be cheerful and happy.

11-What influences you as an artist? The freedom of a child, the changes in nature, someone’s excellent work.

12-What emotion do you expect to be on people’s faces when they look at your art? I would be happy if the people who see my work feel cheerful.

13-What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in regards to your art? “Original things can only come from a place where you feel comfortable with yourself as you are“.

14-How do you define success? To be truly satisfied with yourself and the environment that surrounds you.

15-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration? Museums, YouTube, paper with nothing on it.

16-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? Henry Miller ?Yves Klein  ?Samiro Yunoki

17-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio? I need sunshine, a smart phone, and an environment where I can be alone.

18-How would someone find you on Social Media? Instagram ?_maki_sato_

19-Please name the first thing that comes to your mind while reading the following:

Art=Freedom from self

Food= Eat only the amount you need.

Sports= It’s not what I need.

Politics=  To get better little by little.

Sex= universe

Luxury= Taking a nap on a sunny day.

Poor= Room is dirty.

Rich= Room is clean.

God= They’re all over the place (at least the Japanese gods are.)

Religion= source of war

Picasso= A name that everyone knows.

Afterlife= A World Where Anything Is Possible