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Born in 1954 in the city of Hondo in Kumamoto Prefecture, Ichiro Tsuruta grew up in Kyushu's Amakusa Region, known for its splendid natural beauty.
From childhood days Ichiro loved to draw. After graduating from high school, he attended the graphic design program at Tama Art University with the dream of becoming a professional illustrator.
Influenced by the western cultures, and riding the artistic wave then in vogue, he produced realistic, almost photographic, artworks, but, eventually a feeling within him began to stir, telling him that "He is Japanese." His style started to shift towards such art as Rinpa, a form of Buddhist art, and towards what might be called Japan's unique form of beauty.
The beautiful Japanese women he has created is, indeed, a result of the perfect union of European Art Deco and Ichiro's inner sense of what Japanese beauties should be - graceful yet erotic.
In 1987, Noevir Cosmetics Company of Japan decided to use Ichiro's artworks, his imaginary beauties, in their TV ad campaign. Ichiro became a pioneer of TV commercial art and won a strong following of fans. The beauties Ichiro create continue to fascinate and mesmerize many people.
"I wish to paint my own Muse, my own goddess" is the basis of Ichiro's artistic pursuits, and will continue to be his eternal theme. |
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| I wish that I can draw my own personal Muse, and hope that it is she that is the greater force that guides me in the hazy labyrinth. Even if the drawings were the products of my own fragile sentiments or fiery desires, I feel that through the blessings of the Muse these drawings become pure and sublime images of the Eternal Truth of Woman. I feel that the act of drawing is an act of praying. Should there be a singular truth for me to believe in, it is the faith that, as I attempt to draw a picture of a woman, from somewhere far away, the merciful smile of the Muse will illuminate for me, even if for a moment, the lines which will form the true image. It may only be a fantasy, an illusion, but that is my belief. |
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