At home with a modern muse - IBUKI
The term “muse” shouldn’t be used lightly, but Ibuki Sakai definitely deserves the label. She’s best known as a model and for her multimedia collages, stickers, and zine collaborations with brands like atmos pink and X-GIRL. Most notably, her collaboration with the legendary brand HYSTERIC GLAMOUR started by Nobuhiko Kitamura, resulted in now-iconic collaborative merch [think plush toys and t-shirts] and an exhibition celebrating their shared pop-culture fascinations.
In a simple conversation with Ibuki, it’s clear she inhabits her own nostalgia tinged realm, transporting you to a place where the ordinary turns into something beautifully vulnerable- like a diary or an early adolescent memory. Ibuki’s work is rare and there’s something about it that sticks with you. Flipping through her zine’s and collages feels like a secret between the viewer and her, a peek into Ibuki’s daily life and obsessions viewed through saturated colors of film photos, stickers, and collages.
Ibuki in addition to her collections of eclectic and well curated goods, uses herself as one of the main themes in her artwork. Ibuki’s paper doll-like image can be seen printed on metallic foil stickers, as well as mashed up with photography collages. Throughout her work there are also glimpses of her vast collection of vintage plushies, character goods, and whatever else she finds wandering secondhand shops or digging into archived childhood relics.
As a self described “homebody”, Ibuki finds solace and creativity while spending time alone in her bedroom. We had the luck of seeing Ibuki’s inner world first hand by touring her space, which is unsurprisingly a physical embodiment of her imaginative outlook on life. Here’s what Ibuki had to say about her creative process and how her collaboration with Hysteric Glamour first emerged:
Thanks for letting us peek into your room and chatting with us! Can you please introduce yourself to the Sabukaru Network?
I: I’m an artist and model, born and raised in Togoshi, Tokyo. Now I create something new bit by bit everyday, mostly through collage but also whatever medium is inspiring to me at the moment.
Ibuki painting in her room, during our interview
You're best known for stickers and collage works. What are some projects you have currently in the works?
I:Right now, I’m working with several clients and am looking forward to releasing them to the public. I just had an exhibit in Thailand showcasing my stickers and a pop up at Konomad, a gallery in Tokyo, with all sorts of merchandise as well as photographs. I’m always experimenting with new media, now I’m into making necklaces, charms and even a doll house. Hopefully, I can put my unreleased projects all together at some point in a book or exhibit it.
One of Ibuki’s more recent projects, dollhouses
Most of your collage materials seem rare or one-of-a-kind, where do you usually find materials and photos for your collages?
I: Most of them are clippings that I have been collecting since I was a child, or prints of photographs I took myself. I don't search for brand new materials from stores or get materials from things like social networking sites, Pinterest, etc. When I moved out and started living on my own, I sifted through stuff I’ve collected once again and delicately cut out the clippings. I kept them safe, in a large Ziploc bag and used them little by little. Unfortunately, I used a bunch for a book I published last year called re⭐︎mix [a zine collaboration with atmos pink]. I still keep bits and pieces of things I find randomly everyday.
I have my own rules pretty much, and I compose my collages as if I am playing within those rules. Most of them are things that I have a lot of feelings for, so they are composed of materials that I can explain what they were cut from. Some of them were out-of-date illustrated books I’ve treasured since kindergarten, but I’ve used almost all of those materials over the past five years. Of course, I only select the ones I like, only the things that catch my eye.
Some people have a moment, where they suddenly realize that creating isn’t just a hobby and realize they’re an “artist”, did you have this transition?
I:Even before I got my first design offer in 2017, I was creating stuff without worrying about if people thought I was an artist or not. It's only in the last two years that the label of “artist” got stuck to me. I've always loved to create, and I remember with great importance my kindergarten days and my love of arts n’ crafts that’s stuck with me until now, just under the label of “being an artist”. My craftiness carried on to my high school days, when I made decorative collages for my classmates' personal items using a tepla [label printer] and stickers. No matter what, the core of what I do has remained pretty much the same, I’m still doing things I love but taking it to a higher level.
You have collaborated with many brands, Hysteric Glamour being one of the most influential, how did this come to fruition?
I:Around 2017, I became very interested in Hysteric's 90s clothing. I got some secondhand clothes and wore them like crazy. My friends and fans around me saw me wearing them, they also noticed that Hysteric was underrated! Soon it became a trend, and pre used Hysteric Glamour clothing started selling out on Mercari and other second hand retailers.
In January 2019, I went to a snack bar [Japanese karaoke pub] with friends, and by coincidence, Nobuhiko Kitamura [the founder of Hysteric Glamour] was there too. Luckily, I was wearing Hysteric’s clothing that day lol, and we started chatting. A few days later, I was allowed to visit him in his office. But although I was a fan of his "clothing," I didn't really know the designer, Mr. Kitamura. So I wondered what our conversation would be about.
Ibuki decked out in full Hysteric Glamour
What a coincidence, what did you guys end up talking about?
I:At first, most of the conversation that day seemed to have nothing to do with fashion, but with music and manga, mostly from the 70's and beyond. In this very maniacal conversation, I learned about Mr. Kitamura's genre-defying knowledge, and the depths of his obsessions with an eclectic range of things. Through talking with him, I realized why I like Hysteric so much, because it’s sort of a mashup of everything that Nobu is interested in from both high and low culture. I can understand why Hysteric blew up around the 90s-00s, and it’s comeback of the last few years especially with new generations reclaiming the brand for themselves. It’s because Nobu has a wide range of tastes and likes, which are not biased or based off what others think are cool. If you asked him to name 100 things he likes, it could really come from any influence, things I’ve never even heard about. Because he has a unique perspective and sense of style himself, I think that easily translates to his clothing.
After our long conversation, I think Kitamura-san caught on to what I wanted to create artistically and sort of appreciated my geekiness. In a way we both dive deep into our obsessions. That's when we started planning our first collaboration; we met in January 2019, and production began shortly thereafter. After six months of production, we held an exhibition called "IBUKI YOUTH" at the Hysteric Glamour store in Shibuya, on August 23 of that year.
A poster for Ibuki’s first gallery show with Hysteric Glamour
The title of the exhibition was his idea, which was based on my love for him and his work. The show had a strong nuance of fan art and bootleg/knock off inspired aesthetic. I really feel that that dream-like exhibition filled with love for Hysteric was probably one of the highlights of my life.
You’ve done numerous collaborations often with friends, which ones have left the strongest impact on you?
I: The presence of yokodoll (Yoko Yamamoto), a plush toy designer and the creator of CREAM SODA, was very important for the “IBUKI YOUTH” show. Connecting with Yoko was great, because I was curious about who makes plush toys often appearing in Hysteric’s collections. So when I heard the name, I immediately searched for her Instagram and sent her a message. At the beginning of the production process, I definitely wanted to create something with her. It’s so easy to feel her enthusiasm.
She started her first plush collaboration with Hysteric in 1994, and as of 2022, she has produced 45 plush creations with Nobu. Her plush designs were also recently used in a Hysteric Glamour x Supreme collaboration, and I think a lot of people have actually seen it. Since that time, I have worked with her a lot, and in fact, she is one of my most treasured artist friends. I respect her so much.
An Ibuki x Yokodoll x Hysteric Glamour collaboration
Your work has so many influences from the fantastic to the everyday, what has inspired you recently to make new pieces?
I: I think inspiration is something that you feel all of a sudden while just living life. I don't have a specific number of inspirations, they just come unexpectedly. But if I had to say, I would say that when I was taking a walk today. It was a beautiful day, and I felt lightened up. Like I was walking on air. Anyways, I like rusty things, so when I saw an old house fence while I was walking my dog. The fence of course was sort of regular looking, but I thought it had a negative but strong beauty. I felt suddenly inspired and thought, "this must be the story behind the collage I made yesterday”. Also, I think putting a title on my work is one of the best parts of creating, it gives me a really good feeling.
Ibuki’s collaboration with Marc Jacobs
In what kind of environment do you feel most creative, do you have certain rituals or preferences when you're working on a project?
I:I have to admit, this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, but first of all, my room is forever cluttered. For some reason I feel I can create pieces that I like, because my room is chaotic. But I wonder if I can make better pieces if I clean my room and make my desk more spacious, but I have yet to try that strategy.
As for music I listen to while creating, I love Akira Yamaoka's quiet and powerful sound, and I listen to it really often, but there are times when I concentrate while playing a live game. Sometimes, I get good work done in the daytime, and sometimes in the middle of the night. I think the key for me is my mental state and level of concentration rather than the environment.
Where do you go when you have nothing to do all day?
I:Luckily there’s a lot of days like this, which is perfect. On free days, I mostly stay in my room with a cup of tea. Except when I am working on a project, games or manga are my top priorities. I am a recluse. If I suddenly feel like creating something, I start creating right away. I’m lucky that I’m able to start a project anytime I feel inspired.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an artist or someone who doesn’t know how to plunge into a creative career?
I:I didn't become an artist because I wanted to, but because I had to. So, it's a little difficult to give advice. What I can say to those who want to become an artist is love is one of the most important elements in anything. Since I love to create, I think what I am doing now is like a part of my body. So whatever form it takes, I think you should try doing what you like without being constrained to imitate someone you admire.
One thing that’s important is just pushing yourself to start creating things. You can think "I want to become like someone/something" for as many years as you want, but if you don't start, you’ll never really learn from your experiences of failure and success. Learn from your mistakes.
What are items you carry with you at all times?
I: My camera, my “idea” notebook and pen, my Nintendo Switch, and the manga I'm reading at the moment.
Who are the people who inspire you?
I:Nobuhiko Kitamura, Yu Fujimoto, and my dog Chocolat.
Written by Ora Margolis
Photos by Mayu Uchida
