A Kenyan Guy with a Beautiful Smile
Shinji Ogata
- Sitter: Dr Evans Kiptoo Cheruiyo
- Medium: Gouache on Canvas
- Dimensions: 100 x 120cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork and sitter
Shinji Ogata often uses pen and watercolour, and his subjects include landscapes and cityscapes, as well as people.
This bright and sensitive portrait is of Shinji’s flatmate, Dr. Evans Kiptoo Cheruiyot, a research scientist based at the University of Queensland.
Shinji says: “I wanted to capture his energetic character through his beautiful smile. I hope everyone feels the same way looking at my artwork.
“The most exciting subjects for me to draw or paint are human figures or other organic subjects, but I also enjoy painting landscapes and buildings, because even though they are inorganic substances, I naturally try to find the soul within them.”
Dr. Evans Kiptoo Cheruiyot is Kenyan and first came to Melbourne in 2018. He moved to Brisbane this year. His work focuses on exploring the genetic basis underlying human traits and diseases.
About the artist
Shinji Ogata studied art in his native Japan before moving to Australia in 2004. He’s been working as a full time artist, and teaching drawing and painting, since 2010.
"The most exciting subjects for me to draw or paint are human figures or other organic subjects, but I also enjoy painting landscapes and buildings, because even though they are inorganic substances, I naturally try to find the soul within them.”
Behind the scenes
