Poster for a theatrical production of "Osai-Gonza"

About The Artist

Awazu is a stellar figure in Japanese graphic design history. Born in 1929, he is a self-taught painter and graphic designer known for his genre-bending bodywork.
He developed a style that eschewed simplicity and clean line and instead drew viewers into psychedelic visual cornucopias. Born in Tokyo and self-taught, Awazu began his career creating film posters. He became known for working with a variety of themes and within different disciplines. He designed posters for film and theater, collaborated with architects and urban designers, and addressed social issues in his work. His style has elements that recall pop or psychedelic art, yet his use of color and iconography reveals a unique aesthetic.