Art Blog #44: From Scotland to Japan: A Story of Ink Drawings Full of Spirituality
21. October, 2024 - Reading time 12 Min. - Alan Black
#Scotland #Japan #InkDrawings #Landscape #BlackAndWhite #LineDrawing
Hello, I'm Alan Black, an illustrator currently living in Japan, originally from the picturesque landscapes of Scotland. My artistic journey began at the renowned Glasgow School of Art, where I studied Photography, Visual Communication, and Illustration. My creative path has since evolved in a profound and unexpected way, deeply influenced by my move to Japan and my personal spiritual transformation.
Alan Black - Illustrator & Visual Artist
Hello, I'm Alan Black, an illustrator currently living in Japan, originally from the picturesque landscapes of Scotland. My artistic journey began at the renowned Glasgow School of Art, where I studied Photography, Visual Communication, and Illustration. My creative path has since evolved in a profound and unexpected way, deeply influenced by my move to Japan and my personal spiritual transformation.
After graduating from Art School, I pursued a brief career as a portrait photographer. This was generally school, and University portraiture which although allowed me to use a camera, was not particularly inspiring or creative. I needed to position myself in a new environment out of Glasgow. I was fortunate to have been accepted to the Design Masters program at Central St Martins in London but at the last minute, my explorative nature took over and I opted to travel to Japan instead. Armed with my Mamiya 7ii medium format film camera, I photographed abandoned buildings throughout Japan. The colors and textures the Fuji Velvia film captured within those abandoned structures drove me to travel extensively up and down the Japanese mainland. I even ventured to Islands off the coast. Additionally I spent much time exploring the snow covered landscape of Hokkaido. This allowed me to develop a minimalistic style with photography, but also paved the way for my shift towards illustration.
The black trees against white snowscapes reminded me of mark making on paper. I began to visualize illustrative compositions whilst engaged in photography. Eventually I transitioned my style onto paper.
Artistic Philosophy & Inspiration
Moving to Japan marked not only a shift in my environment but also in my spiritual life. It was here that I became a Christian, and my relationship with Jesus Christ now serves as the cornerstone of my creative expression. My art is a reflection of my faith, with every illustration, every line, and every abstract form born out of a deep connection to God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
My work primarily focuses on pen and ink drawings, where I explore abstract forms and intricate details. These illustrations are often intertwined with the music I create on the piano.Rhythms, harmonies, and melodies unfold into abstract, monochromatic visuals. The interplay between sound and visuals is a recurring theme in my process, as both mediums inform and inspire each other, creating a harmonious blend of expression. My approach to both art and music is influenced by my personal process of meditation, focusing on free-flowing, organic lines. This often results in fluid and precision drawings that sometimes take botanical forms. I like to look at my work as the unfolding of dimensions--like higher orders of infinity. Almost as if I am tapping into unseen realms. I try not to contaminate my work with outside influences, this includes music also. My best efforts stem from periods of isolation and internal reflection and soul seeking. Being a foreigner in Japan, with only basic Japanese ability, I often feel naturally isolated.
In March of 2011 destruction came to Japan in the form of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. I had only been in Japan for a few months at this point. I was alone and with no way to communicate to my family, I documented photographically the aftermath of the quake. This was a testing time, as I witnessed so much grief and horrendous sites. It really opened my eyes to the fragility of our life and perhaps unlocked within me a desire to seek out God. I used this experience to feed into my artistic vision. I was also moved during my time photographing the forest of Aokigahara at the base of Mount Fuji. The forest is ancient and harbors many dark secrets. It is also called the “suicide forest” by locals as so many Japanese people kill themselves there. I saw dead bodies and skulls, bones and left belongings deep within the forest. This experience also affected me in an indescribable way.
Life in Japan
Living in Japan presents both cultural challenges and immense inspiration. The country’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, along with its stunning landscapes and serene atmosphere, has deeply influenced me. The mountains, forests, and subtle beauty of Japanese nature are ever-present in my drawings, serving as a quiet backdrop to the abstract forms I create. Each piece is infused with a sense of place, yet also reflects the deeper, spiritual layers of my journey.
Faith & Artistic Inspiration
My relationship with Jesus Christ is the guiding force behind my work. Becoming a Christian after moving to Japan has deeply impacted my art and my life. Jesus is my greatest influence and constant guide, and His presence shapes every stroke of my pen. My drawings are more than just abstract forms—they are expressions of the spiritual truths that inspire me, fueled by the Holy Spirit. I believe that art is a way to communicate faith, offering glimpses of the divine through intricate visuals.
Creative Process & Tools
I primarily work with Rotring Isograph and Rapidograph pens, creating detailed illustrations on Strathmore Bristol paper. These tools allow me to explore the fine, abstract lines that characterize my work, capturing both the complexity and the simplicity of spiritual and natural themes. My process is meticulous, yet deeply intuitive, guided by my inner connection with God. I have always admired the quality of German engineering, and their Rotring pens are no exception. I use black archival ink on heavy weighted smooth Bristol. As I tend to focus on fine details, I have found this combination to really suit my style.
Beyond illustration, my photographic endeavors also play a vital role in my creative journey. I shoot with both a Mamiya 7 medium format camera and digital cameras, and my love for photography constantly informs my visual style. The precision and framing of photography blend into the abstract nature of my illustrations, creating a dynamic balance between order and chaos, realism and abstraction.
Alan Black
Exhibitions
Glasgow School of Art, Scotland, 2007
Renaissance Photography Prize 2017. Finalist Getty Gallery London
This Land, Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA
BLACK & WHITE (& BLUE), Darkroom Gallery, Vermont, USA
The Independent Photographer Annual Photography exhibition: Eigenheim Galerie In Berlin, Germany October 2017
Blank Wall Gallery 2017
Scottish Design Exchange, Glasgow, Scotland. 2020
Lillie Art Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland, 2022
B&W Minimalism Magazine
Additional publications include a range of fictional book covers.
