Burial T-Shirt in Black by Usugrow Burial T-Shirt in Athletic by Usugrow On the Road T-Shirt in White by Usugrow On the Road T-Shirt in Athletic by Usugrow Sentatsu Cycos Print by Usugrow Hope and Pride Print by Usugrow Hasadhu Shingon Print by Usugrow 4L Print by Usugrow Abuko Print by Usugrow In A War Zone Print by Usugrow KOKUTEN 3 Shijima Print by Usugrow Shinganist Logo T-Shirt by Usugrow Crown T-Shirt by Usugrow Breakfast T-Shirt in Athletic by Usugrow Breakfast T-Shirt in White by Usugrow Katrina T-Shirt by Usugrow Ink For Life Women's Zip Hoodie by Usugrow Reincarnation T-Shirt by Usugrow Love & Hate From Japan by Usugrow Usugrow Sword T-Shirt by Ususgrow Ink For Life T-Shirt by Usugrow Fukushima Cycos T-Shirt by Usugrow Flow T-Shirt by Usugrow Usugrow Butterfly Onesie in Gray Usugrow Butterfly L/S Baby Tee in Gray Hair T-Shirt by Usugrow Breakfast Men's Crewneck by Usugrow

Shinkai T-Shirt by Usugrow Rebel Ink Pin by Usugrow Shinkai Women's T-Shirt by Usugrow Future Primitive T-Shirt by Usugrow Lightweight, 80/20 Cotton/Poly Blend Women's Zip Hoodie in Black About the Artist:Usugrow began his art career creating flyers in underground punk and hardcore music scenes in the early 90's. Since then, he has been involved in various album cover designs for bands and musicians across genres, art directing and merchandising, and also collaborating with many recognized skateboarding brands and fashion brands. Since 2005, Usugrow continues to expand his range of activities including the publication of his first monograph and several solo exhibitions in Japan and abroad. In addition to his own exhibitions, he also curates group exhibitions and book projects with Japanese artists since 2009. His current works are mainly in illustration, painting and calligraphy but he also works in live painting, three-dimensional artworks and collaborations with other artists.

S - Sold out M - Sold out L - $65 USDWith the new school year finally underway, it’s time to give some well deserved attention to your Visual Education department. For the first time ever, Upper Playground is making its entire book catalog on sale for the first week of October. Don’t be tardy, many of these titles are down to the last few copies. This 25% off sale ends at midnight on October 7th. rafiki hoodieUse promo code: Bookshelf25under armour big logo hoodie tobago Here’s a few of our favorites:jaket levis hoodie asli This past month the HHH Gallery in Tokyo showed Monochrome, a group exhibition curated by Japanese artist Usugrow.pat mcafee hoodie

“Today, the world is brimming with information and a wide variety of techniques, painting tools, and art styles are introduced, but I wanted to think about this in a simple way and let people know that [they] can still show wonderful expression using only simple tools like normal paper, pencil, and ink. Most of the artists participating in Monochrome are originally my friends, except Kyotaro and Ozabu, who I’ve been a fan of for a while. 9987 hoodieEach artist thoroughly mastered one writing instrument such as a marker, pencil, ballpoint pen, or ink pen. hokage hoodie for saleWhat’s interesting is that all of them use [tools] that are usually categorized as ordinary stationary, not a special writing tool. That means you don’t have to buy lots of paints or brushes to start your art.” The tools these artists used are simple: pencils, mechanical pencils, black markers, ink pens, ink brushes, and everyday ballpoint pens.

However, by carefully utilizing white space not as “blank,” but rather as information to describe space and color, the artists transform pure, untouched white canvases and paper into detailed and complex monochrome landscapes. To achieve this, the artists must enter a fierce yet meditative state of resolve as they add lines to slowly weave their worlds. The exhibition featured the work from Aaron Horkey, Mike Giant, Shohei, Kyotaro, Toshikazu Nozaka, Ozabu, Sadam and Usugrow. This was the first-ever Japan exhibition for artists Aaron Horkey and Mike Giant. Renown Japanese artist and muralist, Usugrow, completes a new wall in the heart of the Medina at Rahba Kedima spice square of Marrakech, Morocco. Curated by Valerie Liais du Rocher of Studio IWA with support from Upper Playground, the mural covers the facade of the well known Cafe Des Epices featuring Usugrow’s signature hand style.  Combining his knowledge of Kanji (Japanese), Arabic and English Calligraphy, Usugrow once again reinvents his free hand.

Check out the photos by contributing photographer, Raphael Liais  for Upper Playground: This wall was made possible by support from Valerie Liais du Rocher of Studio IWA x Upper Playground.  and follow his instagram @usugrow.The deal is only good while supplies last so be sure to take on the opportunity while it’s still available. The beautiful 8×10 print is from Usugrow’s HASADHU series from his work titled ‘CREATION’ done with ink on paper, currently on display at Fifty24SF Gallery. Usugrow’s solo show ‘INKFLOW’ will be open to the public until Sunday, November 23.  Check out the gallery website for more information. New Mural by Usugrow at Upper Playground SF Exclusive Interview with Usugrow New Shinganist T-shirts by Usugrow New Mural at Fifty24SF Gallery by Usugrow Japanese illustrator and calligraphist, Usugrow who opened his solo show ‘INKFLOW’ at Fifty24SF Gallery this past weekend just completed a second wall at Upper Playground, San Francisco.  

Titled ‘ Talking with Moon’ the wide mural with sloped repeat patterns of the letter ‘I” has the meaning of the  “Eye” and the self ‘I” spreading out from the corner ‘Moon’. Upper Playground and Usugrow is proud to release two new designs for the UP Shinganist collection.  The two designs which showcase Usugrow’s signature calligraphic style will be available in Black, White and in Grey.  Released just in time for the artist’s opening of his solo show, ‘INKFLOW’ at Fifty24SF Gallery, these shirts will sell out fast so grab them while you can. Work in Progress of Usugrow finishing his mural installation at Fifty24SF Gallery, San Francisco. Finished mural and installation of his solo show, ‘INKFLOW’ to follow: Upper Playground’s long time friend and contributing artist, USUGROW, made his way from Tokyo to San Francisco this month for his solo exhibit, “INKFLOW” at Fifty24SF Gallery. The artist hit the ground running with a Book Signing and Print Release at Upper Playground SF last weekend.  

The renown artist recognized around the world for his signature black and white illustrations, lettering and ink works is currently installing his highly anticipated show opening this Saturday, October 4th at 7PM.  We caught up with USUGROW for an exclusive interview with the artist.  Interview by Jy-ah Min: Tell us about the theme of your show “INKFLOW”. Will it have any connections to your last show at Fifty24SF Gallery in 2007? U: There is no special meaning to “INKFLOW”. I just like the words and feel that they are very fitting for my style at this time, because of their simplicity. The ‘Skulls’ in your work have a unique style to them. How did you get started in incorporating them into your work, and has it evolved over time? U: I used to like the way that a person’s mad or scary face looked on their head and realized I was actually seeing their skull behind it. I started to see skulls and skeletons in another dimension and appreciated their beauty and simplicity.

Now I focus on the positive side of skeletons instead of the negative. You explained in the past that your signature use of Black and White was born from economy and restriction. What led you to work primarily in Black and White? U: I started out working on flyers for the hardcore and underground punk scene, where we used to photocopy flyers in B/W and make screen prints for  t-shirts. Black and white is always cheaper than full color which is how I got started. So it started for economic reasons and for simplicity’s sake and I have stayed with it ever since. You seem to draw many references from other languages than your own.  Any significant influences in your calligraphic work? U: I’ve always had an open mind and strongly dislike being categorized. I use what I want and try not to compartmentalize myself. What is the conceptual preparation required for your hand inked artworks?  Do you go through several drafts in the process? U: Yes sometimes, when there is a request from the client for commissioned work.

For my personal work, I’m making up a story from my imagination and creating from my minds eye. I enjoy working in both ways. Many people identify your style as having strong references to chicano tattoo cultures born from Southern California.  Do you find this to be true? U: Yes, that is one of my inspirations but just a part. Your latest print release with Upper Playground is a third edition of the KOKUTEN series titled ‘Shijima’. Could you explain a bit more about your subject matter, Kokuten, the messenger of sun and moon in this series? U: Kokuten is the messenger from the sun. The sun and the moon are just like yin and yang except in front and behind instead of side by side but still all in one. Kokuten is simply a portrait. There is technology all over the place in our human world, we all need to make time to communicate to the sun and the moon. Kokuten literally means “sun spot” in Japanese, in Japan the icon for the sun spot is the black crow, the messenger of the sun.