Wakuda
Wakuda (Wha-Koo-Dah) is my Japanese family name; I use a hybrid of my family kamon as both an iconic branding image and a way to honor my past. Exploring the nature of Ukiyo-e and the interplay between Japan and America has given me the opportunity to better understand both cultures and create something for the future.
Growing up Asian in the homogenous Midwestern United States meant that I was keenly aware of my cultural and aesthetic differences from an early age. Regular visits to my mother’s native Kyoto helped me keep in touch with my Japanese roots and planted the seed of the art I create today. My combination of free-hand aerosol painting and engineered stencil design means I can quickly execute large scale and durable public art projects.
Through my years as an artist, I’ve developed a unique spatial intelligence for large scale art- how it is informed by local culture and vice versa. While my process is derived from graffiti, I take inspiration from all forms of art and versatility is one of my strongest assets. But I believe it is my Japanese-American heritage and use of subtlety with a uniquely biracial aesthetic that sets me apart.
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