We were lucky to catch up with Robert Kondo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Robert, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
I’ve been thinking about this question a lot recently. I’m sure I’m not the first to admit to have fallen into the creator rabbit hole on Instagram, watching ways to curate your videos to make the algorithm favor you among the rest. I believe these days we are so inundated with fast-paced trends to make yourself stand out that it’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis, searching or rather waiting for the right video to tell you how to make it big.
As someone who overthinks more than he cares to admit, I believe the right time, the right idea, the right “how to” video doesn’t exist. What helped pull me out of my creative slump was looking for deadlines. Last year in July I found a mural competition hosted by the non-profit organization Art Share LA with the deadline to submit a concept by the end of August. Having just moved and started a new job that same month, I knew I had enough on my plate. However, I also knew I would kick myself later if I didn’t try.
After spending nights working on my draft, artist statement, and website, I submitted my application and waited to the point where I almost forgot I applied. I had felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I didn’t pass up an opportunity and created something I truly appreciated. Long story short, I was selected as the featured muralist. I could have said I had enough on my plate, but instead chose to add more.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I attest me winning the opportunity to paint my own mural in the heart of Down Town Los Angeles to the years of lending my artistic ability as a service to local communities. Aside from my personal work, my six years of working in the non-profit sector granted me opportunities to lead mural projects that focused on showcasing and welcoming people of diverse identities, ages, and backgrounds to shared spaces.
In 2020, I listened to residents of a homeless shelter to gain input for a mural at their place of residency. With the support of college and high school students, we painted a mural that welcomed all those seeking support. At the forefront of public health initiatives, I collaborated with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health in 2022 to lead a volunteer created community mural initiative for a community resource center. Using floral motifs, the 10 by 20 foot mural conveys how the community grows by taking care of each other.
I believe these opportunities prepared me for the Art Share LA mural contest late last year.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of my favorite ways of approaching life comes from the late Anthony Bourdain. Having watched many of his shows growing up, he would remind his viewers to not be a tourist but a traveler. Most of my early 20’s were spent traveling and living in Japan.
For the better half of 5 years, I attended ceremonies like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and explored areas rich with art like Naoshima, Japan’s very own self proclaimed ‘Art Island.’ I even taught out in a rural town in Northern Japan, being one of only several international folks in the area. I learned the value of giving back to one’s community and being of service to others, which led me to working in the non-profit sector for almost six years. While working at my alma mater, I supported college students with honing their skills and using them to be of service to others, something I wish I did earlier. Though I had no formal teaching or mentoring skills, I took classes and learned to be a better teacher while opening myself to opportunities to be mentored.
If I was to condense what I’ve learned these past 10 years to share with an eager 20 year old me I would tell him these three things: 1) find a way to lend your skill or talent to uplift and inspire others, 2) be open to and find a great mentor, someone who will have your best interest at heart and will see your wins as their own, and 3) don’t be afraid to be a teacher, just do so with kindness and care.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I’m very proud that I’ve taken this past year to create my own path. In doing so, I’ve prioritized my art practice and, thanks to support of family and friends, have my very own mural to show for it.
The title of my mural, “Finding Peace,” is a story of me and my exploration of my Japanese and Mexican heritages. I use the paper crane as a symbol of peace from the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Sadako survived the bombing of Hiroshima and clung to a legend that said she would get any wish granted if she folded 1000 paper cranes. Though she didn’t survive her injuries, people still make the paper cranes as a symbol of peace to this day.
The giant birds are Japanese cranes. When I lived out in Japan I was neighbor to a town called Tsuruta, tsuru meaning crane, and would see lots of crane iconography out there. I enjoy using both images of cranes in the same story as they act like mirrors, or shadows of each other.
The little person with his hand stretched out is a version of myself, and the reason all of the figures have skulls is representational of my Mexican culture celebrating the day of the dead.
This mural is my way of combining my understanding of death readiness in both cultures, while asking viewers to reflect on what peace means to them.
The mural is located on 801 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013 in the Arts District in Downtown LA and was a grant opportunity for emerging artists. Though I’ve accomplished much so far, I’m barely getting started with sharing my art with the world. My goal this year is to keep painting murals so I can ask my viewers to take some time to question what peace, their time on this earth, and the afterlife mean to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.robertatkondo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robert_at_kondo/
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