|
|
Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
August 24, 2012 |
|
Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian International Issey Nakajima-Farran in many ways exemplifies the wanderlust and global citizenship that often comes part and parcel with being a professional footballer in the modern age. To date, the 28 year old forward/midfielder has plied his trade in Japan, Singapore, Denmark, Australia and now Cyprus. Interestingly, off the pitch, Issey is an accomplished artist and he states on his website that his football career has allowed him to “drink in a variety of urban cultures” that have influenced his sideline in painting and fine art.
RedNation recently had the chance to catch up with Issey to discuss his passion for painting, the influence his football career has had on his art and his thoughts on the place of art in a global village that is consumed with football.
RedNation Online: Football is called the beautiful game and is considered an art by many. Is there any correlation between your painting and your sporting endeavours? Do you think both come from the same part of your brain and spirit?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I think art for me is mainly taking my thoughts away from the ups and downs of football. Getting caught up in your own thoughts when you win or lose or how you played can only drain your energy. I know it’s easier said than done and some players react differently to their performances. But I think it’s important to find something, whether it’s looking after a pet or seeing friends or spending quality time with your loved ones or family, in order to direct your thoughts elsewhere. I believe having an ON and OFF in football is important. You can come to training fully regenerated or totally refreshed to be creative in training and in the games. Without this, you will be consumed in your own thoughts and no one can be fully switched ON at all times. So you have to find something that takes your mind off football and for me it was always pimping up my own blank walls.
Plus in football every one is very critical of some individuals, and I feel there is always a sense of right or wrong when it comes to decision making. Whether it’s attacking down a flank or challenging a certain situation, there is always a 'you should do this or that' from the media, fans, coaches, players, etc. I accept criticism if I don't pull off a one on one or a certain link up play that I engage in, but every one has a say. Maybe the higher the level you play football in, the pressure really does build up. And maybe my art is a still ways down the ladder to have anyone criticising me, but for now, my art is what makes me feel good, as well as it being for the people that love my work. In art there’s no right or wrong. Only how a certain art form makes you feel when it’s presented to you in a social environment or in your living room. Just because a painting doesn't make you feel good, doesn't make it a bad painting. If it’s visually stimulating or if it captures one’s attention, I think for me, the artist has done his or her part. After all, my paintings are more like statements of bold faces that compliment the owner or the style of living. Like a rapper, or an icon that has been an inspiration.
RNO: Are there particular artists and painters that you admire?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: Yeah, there’s an elderly lady who paints with spatulas, much like how I tackle my canvases. She’s truly talented and has a great understanding of colours, where I am still monotoned and have a long way to go. But I truly look up to this artist named Franscoise Nelly, with her flamboyant style.
RNO: A number of football players moonlight and dabble in music – do you know of any others that paint?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: Nope. I know Robert Pirès from Arsenal was at a gallery at the same time I was once in London.
RNO: Is painting and art something you would like to concentrate on fully once your playing career is over?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I don't know. I will always carry on with my paintings and hopefully evolve as time passes, using different media, such as spray paints, as I love street art. But also have that incorporated with a social area, like a wine bar or a lounge, or to paint a whole building, etc. I have some ideas floating around. I’m sure something will present itself in the near future.
RNO: You strike me as very much a global citizen with a diverse background – born in Canada and having lived in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. How has the fact that you have lived and travelled all over the world informed your art?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: Hopping around countries with football has given me the opportunity to explore various cultures and arts. The spanish emotional surrealism to the flamboyant details of the asian urban art along with the simplicity and minimalism of Danish taste. And of course there is the street art that presents itself as I weave through different cities, including the street canvas of the public walls and public transport where people leave their insights or statements. Or even the bars, cafes or lounges that are hidden in various cities, where luxury is not the statement but instead more of a creative choice of interior or home made interior rather than using the trendy commercial furniture that you can find in every trendy place. It’s the small social spaces where vintage furniture is mixed with the new urban art - these places are where I see the true inspiration for my future art. There are so many pieces I still want to work on and express. I have thousands of photos that I’ve taken from various cities, various media findings that one day I will portray on a canvas or hopefully on a wall.
RNO: You have previously mentioned that your work has been inspired by various urban cultures and that your work is focused on addressing the icons prevalent among your contemporary footballers. With that in mind, do you believe you might have become a different artist if you had not been a professional football player?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I am the way I am, so I really have no idea if I wasn't a certain way, how I would of turned out.
RNO: What is your favourite painting that you have done and why?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: There are two paintings. One is “The Joker” - the first disturbing painting that I’ve done. It scared the crap out of me, as I like to paint and have the piece that I’m working on in front of my bed so whenever I can’t sleep, I stare at the painting to see which part needs more work. And with the Joker staring back at me, well, sometimes I had to turn the canvas around as it was coming out of the painting and was really scary! But it’s a powerful piece when you see it in real life. It’s not sold yet, which is because it is one of my favourites. If it’s my favourite, then the price tends to keep it in my possession.
The Joker
The other is the "Love of the game" - the girl with the football. I was single at the time, so I wanted to portray with a glimpse of red between the ball and her chest, for my statement of the love for for the game... the football or the girl. It’s got my jersey number on her hip too, with a touch of red to connect the artist with the statement. I love it.
Love of the game
RNO: I also get the sense that you see art as something that needs to break free of the art gallery and get into public spaces like cafes, bars and people’s homes. Does the fact that you have one of the “coolest” professions in the world as a professional soccer player enable you to have your art seen and appreciated by people who might not usually go to an art gallery?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I think galleries are usually enjoyed only by certain types of people. But art lives in all corners of our lives, whether it’s visual art or actual living art. But it’s just how far that appreciation goes for art and, for me, Denmark has shown great interest from all ages, due to their cultural differences compared to sat the Japanese or Singaporeans.
In Denmark people socialise at home, so their sense of lifestyle is shared and entertained. Where as Asia is more outside in social areas rather than at home. So in my experience, my art has been more appreciated by youngsters in Denmark rather than Asia. But I guess some football fans do have something unusual on their wall painted by me, rather some nice painting. Well, I give them a signed jersey as well.
RNO: One of your paintings is of Messi. Why did you chose to paint him and are there other players you would like to capture on canvas?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I was asked to do a piece for a Polio disease charity where it was going to be my first ever exhibition amongst twenty-one other professional artists. Every artist had to give an art work for auction for which 100% of it would go to the charity. It was the local town’s first exhibition and they wanted me as the local artist / footballer to exhibit my stuff. So I had to do a footballer. And I wasn't going to paint any of my teammates at the time, so I thought I would paint the world’s greatest footballer.
Everyone looks up to this guy, including myself, and he is a true inspiration. So I portrayed him and got the team to all sign the back of the canvas. I signed the piece and wrote the club’s slogan "More than a club". Who would not want this painting, if you’re a football fan and the money was going to charity? Other footballers across Denmark were interested but they weren't going to travel across Denmark to make a bid, so there has been many requests of other footballers to be painted. I have to one day paint the legends - Ronaldinho and Zizou. There have been others but we shall see. I need a cool picture to work from.
Messi
RNO: You were very recently living and playing in Australia, which like Canada is a land of wide open spaces and natural beauty. Do you think you will be inspired to try your hand at landscape paintings at some point in the future?
Issey Nakajima-Farran: I loved the nature in Australia and in Canada too, but landscapes, that ain’t my cup of tea. Sorry man, this is the clash of the different generations of taste on our walls. Youngsters want icons.
|