STUDIO55 PRESENTS DRAGON76 ‘COEXISTENCE’

We’re kind of dizzy with excitement that in only a few weeks long-time
55DSL collaborator Dragon76 will be flying from
his native Japan to 55DSL Boxpark where he’ll unveil his new show,
‘Coexistence’, at Studio55. What’s more, he’ll be live
painting in the space, creating one of his biggest mural’s to date on
55DSL’s walls. Honestly, you need to see this…

An immensely successful painter whose style is rooted in a combination
of Graffiti, Manga and Ukiyo-e, Dragon76 specialises
in large scale live painting at galleries, music events and
alternative spaces worldwide. We’re huge fans and have been working
with him for years – Dragon76 has previously created a series of
stunning artworks for, and supported by, Studio55 for
55DSL – including paintings at the Notting Hill Carnival, Roots events
in Birmingham and Liverpool and a piece for our previous
Studio55 space in Soho, which you can see him painting in our film below.

Working fast, in classic graffiti “throw up” style Dragon76 paints
with acrylic and marker pen as well as using stencilling
techniques. Watching his process, which he often exposes by painting
front of an audience, allows a full appreciation of the level
skill and vision he has.

Dragon76 simultaneously studied oil painting at Osaka College of Art
and graffiti outside the education system. Born in Shiga, and
based in Yokohama, his work frequently appears in all manor of
publications, on record sleeves, clothes ranges and in advertising
campaigns. Landscapes and figures defined by black shadow, mimicking
traditional block printing, are superimposed upon textured
layers of vibrant colour.

Dragon76′s new show is inspired by themes of co-existence, with which
he hopes to spread a contemporary message of peace,
harmony and revolution, exemplified by his participation in projects
painting murals onto the walls of refugee and peace camps as
well as highlighting prejudice by depicting current affairs and protests.

“I will be so glad if they can feel positive energy which I felt from
graffiti and minority culture though my painting”

Be it music, dance, bathing in sunshine or marching against injustice,
his talent lies in capturing an energy that conveys action, Dragon76′s
artworks ‘feel’ as well as look wonderful.