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"There are too many colors around. I only need black."

An Interview with Kiyoshi Kuroda, Artist from Tokyo.

By Oliver Spies

How do you explain to someone looking at one of your famous illustrations of plants and flowers that he or she must completely renounce the notion of color?

Kuroda: I have been painting plants since my childhood. My parents gave me books with illustrations of plants because I was interested in their names and the way they looked. I went thorough these books again and again, and, after a while, I had memorized the forms so well that I could draw them by heart. The colors are present in my mind. They emerge when I contemplate the paintings, because I am familiar with the objects depicted: leaves, blossoms, sky and earth. And I was told that the same also happens to other people who look at my paintings. They may see different colors, but it works. That makes me glad.

VG, 2003

But don’t you neglect an important decorative and maybe even beautiful effect, if you only paint in black and white?

Hmm. Our environment and our cities are so colorful. I wouldn’t want to say that there are too many colors, but to me, there are enough. And perhaps the popularity of my work proves this. People like to be surrounded by color, but not everywhere. The correct balance between caution and risk is important.

Next Saint, 2005

Yet for some work or for advertisements you do use unusual background colors such as fl uorescent green or red. Are those compromises?

No. It is always for a particular effect. Apart from my aim to create a strong visual effect with very little color, I sometimes want to address a certain audience. In advertisements, I use this method to differentiate and to position myself or my customer more clearly. A new, unusual color addresses a particular group, often young people who are looking for something new and are sensitive to it.

Are certain colors particularly suited to this?

You can’t generalize. Very fashionable colors address mostly, if not exclusively, young people. One or two years ago, neon colors were very popular with painters and graphic designers. At the moment, light green is becoming more and more popular.

From: Latent Insect, 2005

And in the future?

I have noticed a greater focus on natural, strong colors becoming more important. Colors we know from the 80s, but with an additional natural touch. Perhaps it’s because of urban life and the desire for a closer relationship with nature.

Source: Color Evolution Guide

This interview has been taken from the Color Evolution Guide, which is part of the Color Trend Vision project. It provides detailed background information for 31 selected colors based on their current and future trend position. With the help of photographs, taken around the world, the book guides you through the emotions, origin and affinity of the colors.