EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ALLIE BLEU - DESTIG TOP ARTIST FOR 2019.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised near Tokyo, Japan. I started drawing since I was very little, and it was something I never got bored of.
Growing up, I took various performance arts, martial arts, and music lessons. After graduating high school, I majored in information technology for college, but I realized it wasn’t something that I wanted to do for my life. I dropped out of school, picked up a camera, and was instantly obsessed with taking photos. I decided to move to Hawaii for a new source of inspiration, and I’ve been living here for three years now.
Tell us about your work.
I like taking pictures of nature, fruits, and anything that I think would look interesting in black and white. Sometimes I like using colors too, but it really depends on the subject. As for my drawings, I draw random stuff, but I usually like to keep things simple.
"I am inspired by all that is around me. From the people, to architecture, to cars to nature, I believe you can find a picture everywhere you go."
What makes your work / approach unique?
I’m not sure, sometimes I take pictures, sometimes I draw, and sometimes I paint. I can’t stick to doing one thing so I experiment with different mediums and I go back and forth with my dslr and film camera, and sometimes my polaroid camera.
Why is your work a good investment?
I don’t know how to answer that question. I’m just doing what I like to do, creating what I want to create.
"I picked up some fruits while I was shopping for groceries and I was like: Maybe I should take photos before I eat them.”
Tell us about some of your achievements.
After moving to Hawaii, I had an opportunity to shoot photos and model for a local hat store. Shortly after that, I was reached out to by an agency. I got to study how people worked during photoshoots so it was an interesting experience for me. But most importantly, having my first interview with an art magazine is my biggest achievement.
What are your sources of inspiration?
Music, nature, and traveling, but out of all I’d say music inspires me the most. I listen to all kinds of music depending on how I feel, and it really creates the mood when I’m working on something.
"Currently, I’m based here in Honolulu. Nature is truly beautiful on this island and I’m grateful to experience life here."
What are you passionate about?
Living life.
Tell us the back-story of a project.
I took some of these photos while I was on a trip to Los Angeles and New Mexico. When I got back, I was able to see my surroundings in a fresh new perspective and I was able to try out new things. Other than that it's pretty random as it gets.
I went to the grocery store one day, picked up of some fruits and thought, "Maybe I should take photos before I eat them."
How do you feel about art and its role in the world today?
Art is a form of communication and I think it has always affected people in some way, shape, or form. For an example, you go to an art exhibit... well, it can be any type of art, from live performances to watching movies, but it gives you some kind of an inspiration or a feeling afterwards. Art just does that. It makes you think and reconnect with yourself. And I think it’s important to experience something like that, especially in this day and age we’re living in.
"Art just does that. It makes you think and reconnect with yourself."
How do you want your work to affect the viewer/world?
I don’t know to be honest. But I do want to inspire people to be comfortable with who they truly are. I know, it sounds cliché.
Tell us about where you are based.
Currently, I’m based here in Honolulu. Nature is truly beautiful on this island and I’m grateful to experience life here.
Share with us your upcoming projects.
Right now, I'm working on commissioned projects but I'll be traveling back to Japan soon so I'm excited to be working over there.
Website: alicobleu.com
| PDF of the Interview in DESTIG Magazine |