Japanese artist Imai Atsushi creates oil-and-water-colored pencil drawings that showcase women, minority groups, and Japanese culture. He intends his work to offer a perspective on marginalized cultures and femininity, by reexamining his own freedom through drawing. Atsushi often combines elements from reality and anime illustration to engage dialogue about female sexuality, identity, and fashion with a consciousness for Japanese culture.
Based in Himeji City, Japan, Atsushi has been passionate about painting and illustrating his entire life. After a long hiatus, he returned to his artistry in 2014, and has been exhibiting his work internationally and throughout his native country ever since. He has won several prominent awards in Asia and Europe and has received critical acclaim for his illustrative skill.