Āto Naoki
Āto Naoki is a rising young artist blending traditional and contemporary styles in his work. He reimagines the classic art of Japanese woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, by incorporating modern pop culture characters and references. Prior to pursuing art full-time, Āto worked in the tourism industry, but the impact of COVID-19 led him to explore his creative side during the lockdown. Although he always felt destined to follow in his father’s footsteps as an artist, it wasn’t until the pandemic that he found the right moment.
Ukiyo-e, vibrant woodblock prints that flourished in the Edo period (1615–1868), often depicted scenes of everyday life in Japan. Āto takes these traditional settings and adds a modern twist, such as integrating characters from the video game Street Fighter into historical Japanese street scenes. His process is a homage to tradition—he screenprints onto wood and handcrafts each frame using techniques passed down from his father. While staying true to the methods of woodblock printing, Āto brings a personal and modern flair to each piece, making his art a unique fusion of the old and the new.
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