Will Robinson: Carving out his own path in Japan

Originally from sunny Australia, Will Robinson first came to Japan on a working holiday visa as a way to take a break from studying graphic design. Fast forward 14 years, and Will has established himself entirely in Japan. He dedicated himself to mastering the language and earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts. Will currently works as a freelance custom furniture creator and craftsman. He draws inspiration from Japan's nature and traditional craftsmanship. Over the past few years, his nomadic lifestyle has taken him from Tokyo to Southern Chiba's seaside, to Nagano's mountainside and currently to the enchanting Amami Islands. In each place, he has embraced a specific extreme solo sport like skateboarding, snowboarding or surfing that aligns with the local culture and geography. This diverse range of experiences has undoubtedly enriched his artistic perspective, enabling him to find inspiration in different aspects of Japanese life and nature while continuously honing his craft.

In this episode, James and Will chat about what it took to gain a firm grasp on language skills in Japan and how Will got accepted into a Japanese art university. Throughout their conversation, they discuss essential turning points in Will’s life, his approach to art, as well as his current passion, woodworking. Will emphasizes the importance of preserving and honouring disappearing traditions and crafts, not only in Japan but globally. He discusses the potential of bringing a foreign perspective to Japanese art and how he wants to promote artisanal techniques and their stories. In this episode, Will subtly reveals how Japanese aesthetics influence his lifestyle and art.

Connect with Will: Portfolio // Instagram // Food pop-up

Some of Will’s mentors and lumber inspiration in Tokyo: 株式会社　京和木材 + 京和木材　加工場

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