This original hand-drawn illustration is piece number two from Japanese artist wataboku's exhibition, "Can You Be Satisfied? 2." It measures A4 size (210 x 297 mm) and is sold as an unframed original drawing. At the artist's request, proceeds from this sale will be donated to relief efforts for the large-scale fire in Hong Kong.
wataboku built an international fan base through social media works centered on SAI, an original character rendered as a school-uniformed girl. In 2023, the artist marked a turning point by stepping away from digital tools entirely, drawing directly on gallery walls with oil-based markers and selling the cut-out results as physical works. That same restless honesty carried into a job in Switzerland this past May: when a shipping delay left promotional goods and posters stuck in transit, wataboku bought paper and pens from a local stationery store and improvised original drawings for customers on the spot. The artist has traced this instinct back to old advice from their band days: "Get naked on stage," meaning hold nothing back. This piece carries that same spirit.
wataboku's rise began with the 2016 debut art book "Kan Zero," published by Pony Canyon, followed by solo exhibitions across Japan and major cities throughout Asia. The artist has since expanded into contemporary art, with credits including a collaboration for Yohji Yamamoto's 2022 Spring/Summer collection, commercial art for Mode Gakuen, the music video for Ryokuoushoku Shakai's "Mela!," artist visuals for tuki., and jacket artwork for "Bansanka." wataboku's latest art book, "VSI," is currently available through PIE International.
Owning this piece means holding an unrepeatable, hand-drawn moment from an artist mid-transformation, made all the more meaningful by the cause it supports.
Hand-drawn original illustration by wataboku, exhibited in the “Can You Be Satisfied 2” exhibition held through November 29. A4 size (210 × 297 mm). Artwork only, sold unframed.
