Naka Mitsuki's Smartphone Masterpieces Prove Digital Art's Worth - Focus, Freedom

Hi, I'm Naka Mitsuki.
I draw contemporary art.

Thanks for having me.

The first is “Contemporary Artist.” My art is inspired by music,

and I draw & paint it on my smartphone.

Other words are "Gen-Z" and "digital native."

We've grown up with smartphones and tablets,
and it defines my generation.

Also, I was half-paralyzed when I was a teenager.

So, dealing with that is a big part of who I am.

This is a group exhibition for up-and coming
artists, and my work is on display.

I really love music, and especially Jazz.
There's a lot of jazz motifs in my art.

All my art is created using a smartphone or tablet.

Then, I print them out on wooden panels or canvases.

This is the first time I've seen art drawn
on a smartphone, it's still that rare.

So, I'm interested in how this style of art
will develop from here.

I first saw her art in 2019 at an auction.

There were 20 award-winning artists in it,
but she was the only digital artist.

That definitely made her stand out.

Also, I could see she was determined
to make a living by selling her art.

So, I put in a bid for about $2,000, which was
the highest sale at that auction.

When I went to her exhibit, there was a queue of
people outside, and we had to wait to get in.

In the end, I couldn't get the piece I wanted.

I think it's interesting that she deletes the data
of each piece once it's printed out.

Each piece is only printed once.

The art's soul moves from the screen
to the canvas when printed.

Then, I delete the data. It's digital art
but it's still one of a kind.

Hi!

I'm going to a studio to meet a talented bassist.
He's gonna be my model for today's painting.

Long time no see! I'm so happy.

It's a reunion.

This is Yuki Atori.

I'm Yuki Atori, and I'm a Jazz-fusion bassist.

I'm ready anytime if you want to start.
I'll follow you.

While the musician plays, I try to imagine
what story they're trying to tell.

I want to translate their creativity
into color and shape.

Ideas pour from my mind into
my fingers,like a reflex.

These days I can use both hands
to paint lots of things.

But in the beginning, I could only
use my right hand.

When I was 10 years old,
I came down with hemiplegia.

I could only move my right wrist.

I felt lost, scared, and I couldn't sleep many nights.

Mitsuki suffered from
hemiplegia paralysis due to
a stroke at 10 years old.
The cause is still unknown.

She was in and out of
the hospital for 4 years, until
she could gradually move again.

I fainted, and suddenly I couldn't
move my left hand or leg.

It's a shame because I'd just discovered a passion
for dance and piano. And dodgeball, too.

I wasn't able to do anything by myself, such as
eating, taking a shower, or using the toilet.

I thought I'd need someone else's helping hand
for the rest of my life.

So, I felt I needed to leave my mark on the world
before I might suddenly leave it.

Even though my arm was paralyzed, I thought
I might be able to work on a smartphone.

Mitsuki started to draw on her smartphone with her right thumb,
the only digit she could move.

I was bedridden, lying on my side.

I propped my phone on a pillow
and held my arm up with a belt.

I mostly drew about daily happenings.

For example, my thoughts or something
funny the nurses had said.

I just drew what I could, day by day.

Then my eyesight got bad.

But my hearing was great, and it was then
that I discovered music.

It changed my life. I forgot about all
the bad things when I listened to it.

I'm done!

I really like it!

Wow, amazing.

I use digital tools to express myself.

But a lot of people have a hard time accepting them.

They don't think they're tools of art and creativity.

I've gotten a lot of criticism for my work.
People say it's not art.

But this kind of art is in my blood.

It's where I started, and I want to
stake my career on this.

It being "different" is what makes it exciting.

It gives me reason to do it.

My focus in life is...

To live in the moment.

I attended the Kyoto University of Education.

I still feel attached to this city, so I come
visit by myself sometimes.

In her freshman year of high school,
her symptoms became less severe.

When I was back on track, I wanted to
do as much as possible.

I wanted to make bigger works of art
and feed my creativity more and more.

I felt that I could make my wishes come true.

This is my alma mater,
the Kyoto University of Education.

It brings back memories.

Nothing has changed.

My major was in fine art.

Come in.

Hi! Oh, you've cut your hair.
Long time no see.

Indeed.

This is Professor Yamauchi.

Hi, I'm Yamauchi.

Would you like some coffee?

He's a professor of art history and fine art.

I'd describe him as a "free spirit."

I used to come here often.
You were such a great listener.

True.

You knew what you wanted to do.

You confided in me your ideas
and asked for advice.

You also begged me to write the... what was it?
The letter of recommendation.

Yes! Because I wanted a scholarship,
and I needed the recommendation.

I wanted it to come from you.

With Mr. Yamauchi’s recommendation,
Mitsuki was honored with an art
scholarship from a large corporation.

With it, she embarked on
a study abroad in New York City.

There weren't many around me who were pushing the possibilities of digital
tools to make art like Mitsuki was.

It was very fresh, and I knew
I had to support her.

I'm so happy to hear that.

Art created on tablets or phones is
seen as being "less than" or "easy."

But you're out here working to change
everyone's perception of digital art.

I hope your work can influence new viewpoints.

Big change takes time, but the art scene
needs to embrace new art like yours.

Please keep at it.

To me, freedom is...

A miracle.

Being able to live freely isn't a guarantee.
I learned that the hard way.

Our lives move so fast, like flashes of lightning.

Being able to express that in my work is freeing.

Come in!

It's a miracle to be alive.

I couldn't be more grateful, being able to
pursue my dreams.

This is amazing!