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Shigeru Yamamoto

"I was born in the distant city of Tokyo in March of 1950, where I grew up in a conservative family. I majored in art, with a specialty in watercolors, oils and engravings. After graduating, I traveled a bit, visiting different countries until one day, I arrived in Peru. It was to be a short visit, but here I am. I fell in love with the country, its people and customs. Today, I have a Peruvian fiancée and a son, and both are my inspiration in life. My greatest challenge was leaving my homeland to live in a country that is so different culturally.

"One day in Tokyo, I saw a painter working with cane and I was fascinated. I watched him for hours, and I realized this technique reflected his feelings in a way that was magical. I first used the technique in a portrait a friend commissioned, and I began to paint other portraits in this way, using a piece of cane as a paintbrush. I then used it to paint anything that came to mind, and people liked by combination of India ink and watercolors painted with cane.

"In my work, I depict good and bad, black and white, happiness and sorrow. My work reflects my feelings at the time. I enjoy demonstrating such an 'exact' technique – you can't make a single mistake or you have to start all over again. It has taken me years to master it and reflect what I see with precision.

"I feel a special love for things that are old, and I strive to show their value in my work. I depict doors and windows from historic old buildings, trying to tell their story and convey the length of time they have existed in the world. My message is that we should take care of them, as they have so much history and they are simply beautiful.

"My art is my life. I have no idea what I'd do if it weren't for this marvelous means of artistic expression. I've never participated in a gallery exhibit, but I dream of doing so in New York one day. Meanwhile, I've shown my art in the street in places like France and Spain, and now in Peru. "I enjoy collecting antiques, and also like to create ceramics on the potter's wheel.

"I appreciate this opportunity to demonstrate that with this technique, nothing is impossible. Thank you for choosing my paintings."