Ryo Nakao
Yamanami Kobo (Shiga Prefecture)

Born in 1998, Ryo Nakao lives in Shiga Prefecture and has been a member of Yamanami Kobo since 2017. He originally enjoyed cutting paper to make propellers for his beloved electric fans and watching them spin. However, seeing him imitate the staff's handwriting and trace letters on windows with his fingers, the staff gave him English newspapers, which he then copied onto drawing paper. This became the catalyst for him to start painting. He has created many works featuring not only English letters but also numbers. When he paints, there is no hesitation or doubt, and he finishes his pieces in an instant. The force and strength of his work are evident in the typography of the letters and numbers. He often traces over letters multiple times, changing colors and using brushes, pens, and sometimes even his fingers, which adds depth to his works. Recently, he has also created works depicting not only letters but also people and things he likes, and his unique sensibility, combined with his cool style, is reflected in his art.