New York City is home for Sho Shibuya. Despite its well-documented tribulations. Despite the fact he arrived there from Tokyo in 2011 with few words of English. Or perhaps because of all that.
A graphic designer in his professional life, and founder of brand design studio Placeholder, Shibuya’s been painting for five years now as part of his daily practice. But as NYC locked down due to COVID-19, he began depicting the morning’s sunrise on the cover of the respective New York Times. And helped define a moment.
In a time when the internet revealed, if only fleetingly, that goodness could reside there, too, Shibuya’s paintings appeared carrying a reminder we needed – of the sky that goes on existing. A benevolent provision, even to us who had forgotten to look up, in a location we’d be guaranteed to see it.
More than that though, says Shibuya, the feeling they evoke is a reminder of that place we can access inside. “The spirit of the project is that maybe, even after the pandemic subsides, people can continue some of the generosity and peace we discovered in ourselves,” he says.
Sometimes an image says it all. But we desired a glimpse into the process of this artist who captured a collective need. Generously, again, he obliged.
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What’s the first thing we should know about you?
I’m a Japanese graphic designer based in Brooklyn.
How did your Sunrises from a small window series come about?
Early March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York City, was the beginning of a long journey in a new world.
The city went into lockdown. I was stuck in my small studio apartment in Brooklyn. Every day, absorbing the bad news, I wondered, how I could adapt to this new normal without feeling overwhelmed?
Some days passed and I realised that from the small windows of my studio, I could not hear the sounds of honking cars or people shouting. I could hear the birds chirping energetically and sound of wind in the trees, and I looked up and saw the bright sky, beautiful as ever despite the changed world beneath it. I was intrigued by the contrast between the chaos in the world and stunning sunrises every day. I started to capture the moment in the newspaper, contrasting the anxiety of the news with the serenity of the sky, creating a record of my new normal.
Did you expect the response that the series would bring? How has that felt?
Not really. Painting has been part of my daily ritual for over five years. It just so happened that this series seemed to strike a chord in people. I appreciate the response; it makes me feel like I am connected to the world through my work.
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It’s obvious the series makes people feel better. What purpose does it serve for you?
The spirit of the project is that maybe, even after the pandemic subsides, people can continue some of the generosity and peace we discovered in ourselves. The sky reminds us that there’s still a big world outside of our windows, and that every day is a new day, with a new chance for progress and peace.
Where is the window? Where does it face?
The actual window is in my small studio apartment, facing east. But it’s also my phone screen, which is sort of a metaphor for a small window to see anything in the world. The specific window isn’t as important as the shared view of the sky.
Which part of the process of creating the works is your favourite?
I love the entire ritual. I wake up at 5am and read the news. I get to go to a deli at dawn to pick up a physical newspaper, which is when I take a photo of the sky. It makes me feel connected to the city, to the community, and I think a sense of community is very important right now. I don’t have to set an alarm; I can just sense when sunrise happens (currently around 5:15) and sunset (around 8:30). I love the air outside at the time, when night turns into day and day back into night.
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Was watching the sun come up a regular habit before lockdown?
It was. I’ve always been an early riser and painting has been part of my day for years. But it did take on added significance during quarantine.
What inspires you most?
Time. I’m obsessed with capturing a fleeting moment. Time is a precious thing and you can only ever depict a moment once. It creates meaning and a story by itself.
What do you hope for?
I hope I can continue to create meaningful work.
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What’s your current state of mind?
Looking around recently, it’s obvious that we need more generosity and peace for all people. It is sad to see all of this heartbreak and pain, but I am hopeful we can use the present moment to change the future.
What does NYC mean to you?
To me, NYC is home ... The beautiful diversity of the city is enchanting, and it teaches you how important it is to respect others while believing in yourself. It’s a place that has truly expanded my point of view.
Read the full interview with Sho Shibuya in the 'Courage' issue. Find it here.
Images: Sho Shibuya, A sunrise from a small window May 31, 2020; Sho Shibuya, Sunrise and Sunset from a small window July 8th, 2020.
