Arthur Ortega has not roamed the backstreets of Tokyo or witnessed up close the architecture of Japan. His illustrations are based from “walking” through google maps to transport you to sleepy quiet highstreets. Unagi and Arthur Ortega (Une) discuss his upcoming plans for 2020 and how he can get enough resources together to finally make the trip to the country he spends all day drawing.

For someone who hasn't seen your work before, how would you describe it? 

Ortega: I would describe as an architectural drawing, but in a way to look differently at old buildings. To start thinking and acknowledging these old houses that sit unseen by most people that pass by it everyday without noticing the beauty and the history that they carry.

You are based in São Paolo but inspired by Japanese architecture and design. What was the catalyst to creating these works?

Ortega: I started drawing about 3 to 4 years ago because I saw most of the old houses here in Brazil being demolish to the construction of new apartments. I feel a need to drawing them as way to secure their history. The same goes to Japanese houses, since my young days in 2012 I’ve been passionate about Japanese architecture and style and one day after “walking” around Tokyo in Google Maps I came across some gorgeous houses hiding on obscure alleyways and I decided to mix what I was doing around my neighbourhood and apply to Japan. So far it worked out great.

What inspires your aesthetic? Did you live in Japan?

Ortega: It’s hard to pin point a specific thing, all the Showa era aesthetic together combined with my love for architecture made these semi realistic drawings. No, I actually have never been to Japan. All my drawings are so far being inspired by what I imagine is Japan over the Internet.

Why do you think your art resonates with so many people?

Ortega: I think most people feel a connection with Japanese Architecture even without realising it. It’s a relatable feeling that people have when they go to suburb in Japan or by simple having any connection to Japan over the Internet. It’s a subtle thing that everybody has inside that emerge when they see my drawings I think.

What are your plans for the rest of 2020? 

Ortega: I’ve been thinking about so many things to do in 2020 but I don’t how much of it will come true.

I plan on doing larger works such as a whole street panorama and not one single house (for that I’ll probably need a larger desk). Probably learn more about the history of the houses I draw as a way to complete my idea of having an archive, but my main goal for 2020 is to gather more resources ($) so I can visit Japan next year. That would let me freely explore these houses to make more details and a larger number of photos to research.

Where will your work next be exhibited?

Ortega: That depends on deals I hope to get in the future but it would super cool to have an exhibition in Tokyo or in my hometown São Paulo

Who is your favourite Japanese architect and designer?

Ortega: I don’t follow many Japanese architects or designers (yet) most of my idea of the Japanese architecture is general, I look at it as a whole. Everything from the Meiji era to the Showa era pleases my eyes. I want to look more in depth about the architecture of these time in the future.

How have you come to this point of your artistic practise? Are you looking to incorporate any other media?

Ortega: I just started my Instagram after my girlfriend convinced me that my drawings were great and should be exposed on the Internet and people seem to enjoy it and share it since the beginning. I’m very happy with the place I have got to after just one year drawing once a week at night. But I dream about doing something bigger and different, such as, a book or a collection of my drawings.

Unagilife is a site for useful recommendations for those inspired by Japanese aesthetic and lifestyle. Is there anything you would like to recommend to our readers?

Ortega: I certainly would recommend looking more about houses of these era for better understanding of Japan and looking for people on Instagram that capture those houses and the aesthetic using photos such as @kawa1168, @tokyocityurbex @non_sugar25 @1chome_1banchi and mainly @heroinsamurai he has one of the best film Instagram of Tokyo. They all serve as my eyes in Japan for inspiration.

You can see more of Arthur Ortega’s work at @une.artortega and purchase his work at his store.