MOTAS, an artistic collective from Japan, has been active since 2012. Its two members, BOYA and TOMO, reside and work in Japan. Together, they express their creativity not only on canvas but also through murals and various objects like skateboards and clothing, featuring a character with simple and cartoon-like shapes known as BLEYE.

Captured in various scenarios, ranging from ordinary to extraordinary, BLEYE takes the form of both a person and a hand, navigating a bustling everyday family life infused with elements of dreams and melancholy. Despite this, the character constantly faces the presence of a perpetually raised middle finger, symbolizing the burdens we all carry. Through the journeys of an overwhelmed adult, MOTAS artfully depicts the timeless foundations of the human condition: love, family, friendship, sadness, and joy.

The unique style of MOTAS has been cultivated over time. Prior to their collaboration, BOYA excelled in graffiti and tattooing, while TOMO specialized in animation. Drawing inspiration from comics, cartoons, graphic design, and abstract painting, their creative realm encompasses a wide range of influences. They draw from the lowbrow and punk iconography of artists like Ed Roth, SHAG, and Raymond Pettibon, as well as American writing and sign painting. Additionally, they find inspiration in traditional Japanese tattoos by Horiyoshi III, the animated works of Hayao Miyazaki, and the techno-pop music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, a founding member of the group Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Since the inception of MOTAS, BOYA and TOMO have synthesized these diverse influences to produce works that combine typography, illustration, and abstraction across various forms and contexts. They alternate between original creations, collaborations with brands, and commissioned works such as logos, merchandise, and graphic design projects. From the beginning, they envisioned the prototypical elements of BLEYE, which would gradually evolve over the years to possess a genuine narrative depth. Over time, the character has come alive, capable of eliciting empathy, thanks to the close collaboration between the two members. TOMO develops the narrative framework and adventures, which BOYA translates into visual form through drawings. TOMO then defines the colors and the subdued atmosphere that bring BLEYE's adventures to life. "We felt that the canvas was the perfect medium to showcase our character," explain the MOTAS members. Thus, it is primarily on canvas, with a graphic vocabulary influenced by animation, that BLEYE thrives within its family environment.

MOTAS

Japanese

Main

Artist

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