I know exactly what people think when they see my art. To be honest, I even think it looks like something a 13-year-old would make. But that look is a disguise.

To me, the world is a violent place. You might not agree, but I think it’s actually better that way—some things are better left a mystery. Even without wars, pain and violence are hidden everywhere in our routines.

I use this “kid-like” style as a shield. People are usually more forgiving toward children; they don’t feel the need to criticize a child’s work. If someone actually starts an argument with a “child,” it just ends up looking ridiculous.

My art uses specific objects as metaphors, mostly tied to my own life and how I see the world. I’m building a huge, consistent universe for my work to live in. Even though it’s very emotional, I care a lot about the story making sense.

What you see here is just the beginning; I’m going to keep pushing this theme through a whole series of upcoming works.